Updates on subgenus Ixodes in the Mediterranean region: validity of Ixodes festai Rondelli, 1926, reinstatement of Ixodes tatei Arthur, 1959, and a new species closely related to Ixodes gibbosus Nuttall, 1916

作者：Sándor Hornok, Adem Keskin, Igor Uspensky, Jenő Kontschán, Nóra Takács, Paulina Lesiczka, Tim Warbroek, Tijs J. M. van den Bosch, Gergő Keve, Andor Pitó, Attila D. Sándor · 发表于：International Journal for Parasitology · 年份：2025 · DOI：10.1016/j.ijpara.2025.09.002 · 被引用次数：5 · 研究领域：Vector-borne infectious diseases、Insect symbiosis and bacterial influences、Entomopathogenic Microorganisms in Pest Control

• • This study aimed at contributing to solve taxonomical issues of Mediterranean Ixodes ticks. • • The tick species Ixodes tatei is morphologically, molecularly different from I. eldaricus . • • Ixodes festai is also a valid species, different from I. ventalloi . • • Ixodes eldaricus is barcoded for the first time. • • Ixodes paragibbosus sp. nov. is described for the first time. The southern part of Europe is one of the most species-rich regions from the point of view of the genus and subgenus Ixodes. However, numerous unresolved or questionably interpreted issues exist in the context of tick species indigenous to Mediterranean countries, such as the validity of Ixodes festai, synonymy of Ixodes tatei with Ixodes eldaricus (never tested molecularly) or the haplotype heterogeneity of Ixodes gibbosus. In this study, 21 specimens of six tick species from the subgenus Ixodes were compared morphologically with high resolution digital microscopy and also analyzed with molecular-phylogenetic methods based on two mitochondrial genetic markers. The nymphs of I. eldaricus and I. tatei showed differences in the morphology of the scutum and basis capituli. Both the nymph and the females of I. festai could be distinguished from those of I. eldaricus, I. ventalloi and I. acuminatus. A female tick resembled I. gibbosus but was also different from this species, based on its descriptions. Analysis of phylogenetic relationships confirmed with moderate to strong support that all six species e...