A new record of Ornithodoros (Pavlovskyella) verrucosus (Acari: Argasidae) from a porcupine burrow in western Iran

Abstract

Abstract We found an Ornithodoros species with distinct morphological characteristics than Alveonasus genus and other O. (Pavlovskyella) species group. Tick specimens were collected from a porcupine burrow, located in Lorestan province, western Iran. Genomic DNA of tick was extracted using CTAB and then three gene fragments of cytochrome oxidase subunit I (COI) and 16S mtDNA & 18S rDNA were amplified by PCR. Tick specimens were identified as near to O. (P.) verrucosus and O. (P.) tholozani. So the identification was confirmed by BLAST analysis of 16S mtDNA & 18S rDNA and COI gene fragments. A taxonomic key to the native adult subfamily Ornithodorinae species of Iran are provided to facilitate their identification.