Species description and molecular analysis of a hard tick (Amblyomma cordiferum) parasitizing wild Taiwan cobra snake (Naja atra) in southern Taiwan

Abstract

Species description based on the pictorial keys of morphological characters of female Amblyomma cordiferum tick parasitizing wild Taiwan cobra snake (Naja atra) was firstly described in Taiwan. Molecular analysis based on the 16S mitochondrial gene sequences was performed by comparing eight A. cordiferum ticks from Taiwan with other Amblyomma species documented in GenBank. In addition, two Dermacentor and two Rhipicephalus species were used as outgroups. All these Taiwan specimens constructing a monophyletic group which is genetically affiliated with A. cordiferum and it can be discriminated from other Amblyomma species. This study provides the first species description and determines the genetic identity of adult A. cordiferum ticks parasitizing wild Taiwan cobra snake. Further investigations focused on its ability to carry various tick-borne pathogens will help to illustrate the medical importance on human health in Taiwan.