Characterization of Haemaphysalis flava (Acari: Ixodidae) from Qingling Subspecies of Giant Panda (Ailuropoda melanoleuca qinlingensis) in Qinling Mountains (Central China) by Morphology and Molecular Markers

Abstract

Tick is one of important ectoparasites capable of causing direct damage to their hosts and also acts as vectors of relevant infectious agents. In the present study, the taxa of 10 ticks, collected from Qinling giant pandas (Ailuropoda melanoleuca qinlingensis) in Qinling Mountains of China in April 2010, were determined using morphology and molecular markers (nucleotide ITS2 rDNA and mitochondrial 16S). Microscopic observation demonstrated that the morphological features of these ticks were similar to Haemaphysalis flava. Compared with other Haemaphysalis species, genetic variations between Haemaphysalis collected from A. m. qinlingensis and H. flava were the lowest in ITS2 rDNA and mitochondrial 16S, with sequence differences of 2.06%–2.40% and 1.30%–4.70%, respectively. Phylogenetic relationships showed that all the Haemaphysalis collected from A. m. qinlingensis were grouped with H. flava, further confirmed that the Haemaphysalis sp. is H. flava. This is the first report of ticks in giant panda by combining with morphology and molecular markers. This study also provided evidence that combining morphology and molecular tools provide a valuable and efficient tool for tick identification.

The mitochondrial genome of the giant panda tick Haemaphysalis flava (Acari, Ixodidae) from Southwest China

“…Among ectoparasites of the giant panda, ticks represent a significant threat to both wild and captive populations. These blood-feeding parasites attach to the skin of giant pandas and cause dermatitis, anemia, weight loss and even death in highly infested animals (Cheng et al 2013;Wang et al 2018). Also, they are vectors and can transmit pathogenic bacteria and viruses, leading to secondary infections (Zhang et al 2010).…”

Molecular Detection of Anaplasma, Bartonella, and Borrelia theileri in Raccoon Dogs (Nyctereutes procyonoides) in Korea

“…12,13,[36][37][38] A molecular identification of tick species was conducted to confirm the visual assessment of tick species, using ITS2 and 16S rRNA primer sets. 39 In raccoon dogs, mitochondrial cytochrome b (mt cyt b) and c (mt cyt c) genes were selected as conserved genes to prevent false-negative results in the PCR. The primer set used to amplify mt cyt b was a universal primer set specific for mammalian hosts.…”

Parasites of the Giant Panda: A Risk Factor in the Conservation of a Species

“…Ixodidae Skin surface First reported in Sichuan province, China (1990) without morphological description; first detailed morphological and phylogenetic analysis were conducted by Cheng et al (2013) n/a Cheng et al (2013) and Lai et al (1990) H. hystricis Ixodidae Skin surface Described in two reviews of parasites of the giant panda (Yang, 1998;Zhang et al, 2010); however, original literature is not available from either review n/a n/a H. kitaotai Ixodidae Skin surface Described in two reviews of parasites of the giant panda (Yang, 1998;Zhang et al, 2010) (Kazacos, 2008;P erez Mata et al, 2016;Sprent, 1968;Tokiwa et al, 2014;Tranbenkova and Spiridonov, 2017; Table 3). There is no evidence that B. schroederi affects other animal species or humans under natural conditions.…”

“…These ticks include members of the genera Haemaphysalis (9 species), Ixodes (3 species) and Dermacentor (1 species) ( Table 2). Of these ticks, Haemaphysalis flava has been most commonly reported in giant panda populations (Cheng et al, 2013;Ma, 1987;Qiu and Zhu, 1987). Recently, molecular tools have also been employed for the genetic characterisation of ticks from the giant panda.…”

“…Recently, molecular tools have also been employed for the genetic characterisation of ticks from the giant panda. Using mitochondrial and ribosomal DNA markers as well as key morphological characters, H. flava was identified to predominate on giant pandas in the Qinling mountain range (Cheng et al, 2013). Although there is no report on mortality caused by such hard ticks, morbidity involving dermatitis and/or weight loss has been recorded in infested giant pandas (CCRCGP, unpublished records).…”