Molecular detection of Rickettsia aeschlimannii in Hyalomma spp. ticks from camels (Camelus dromedarius) in Nigeria,West Africa

Several species of the spotted fever group rickettsiae have been identified as emerging pathogens throughout the world, including in Africa. In this study, 197 Hyalomma ticks (Ixodida: Ixodidae) collected from 51 camels (Camelus dromedarius) in Kano, northern Nigeria, were screened by amplification and sequencing of the citrate synthase (gltA), outer membrane protein A (ompA) and 17‐kDa antigen gene fragments. Rickettsia sp. gltA fragments were detected in 43.3% (42/97) of the tick pools tested. Rickettsial ompA gene fragments (189 bp and 630 bp) were detected in 64.3% (n = 27) and 23.8% (n = 10) of the gltA‐positive tick pools by real‐time and conventional polymerase chain reaction (PCR), respectively. The amplicons were 99–100% identical to Rickettsia aeschlimannii TR/Orkun‐H and R. aeschlimannii strain EgyRickHimp‐El‐Arish in GenBank. Furthermore, 17‐kDa antigen gene fragments of 214 bp and 265 bp were detected in 59.5% (n = 25) and 38.1% (n = 16), respectively, of tick pools, and sequences were identical to one another and 99–100% identical to those of the R. aeschlimannii strain Ibadan A1 in GenBank. None of the Hyalomma impressum ticks collected were positive for Rickettsia sp. DNA. Rickettsia sp. gltA fragments (133 bp) were detected in 18.8% of camel blood samples, but all samples were negative for the other genes targeted. This is the first report to describe the molecular detection of R. aeschlimannii in Hyalomma spp. ticks from camels in Nigeria.     

Status of Haemaphysalis tick infestation in domestic ruminants in Iran

The geographical distribution and ecological preferences of Haemaphysalis in domestic animals in Iran were studied 4 times a year from April 2003 to March 2005. A total of 1,622 ixodid tick specimens were collected from 3 different zones. Among them, 108 (6.7%) Haemaphysalis ticks, consisting of 6 species, were identified; H. punctata (3.4%), H. parva (0.5%), H. sulcata (0.6%), H. choldokovskyi (1.7%), H. concinna (0.06%) and Haemaphysalis sp. (0.6%). H. punctata was the most abundant species, whereas H. concinna was the rarest species collected in humid and sub-humid zones on cattle, sheep and goats. H. choldokovskyi was principally collected from sheep and goats grazed in cold mountainous areas. The infested areas consisted of Caspian Sea (Guilan, Mazandaran, Golestan, and central provinces), mountainous (Azarbaiejan, Ardebil, Kohgilouyeh, and Kordestan) and semi-dessert (Khorasan, Semnan, Kerman, Sistan, and Baluchestan) zones. The Caspian Sea zone (23.6%) was the most highly infested region. The results show that various species of Haemaphysalis ticks infest domestic ruminants in Iran and each tick species show characteristic geographical distributions.     

Babesia spp. identified by PCR in ticks collected from domestic and wild ruminants in southern Switzerland

Concurrent infections with vector-borne pathogens affected a cattle herd in Switzerland, and one of the pathogens was identified as Babesia bigemina, which had never been observed in this country before. Therefore, a survey of the occurrence of ruminant Babesia spp. and their tick vectors in Switzerland was conducted. A total of 2,017 ticks were collected from sheep, goats, cattle, and wild ruminants (deer, roe deer, and chamois) in southern parts of Switzerland and identified morphologically. The vast majority of the ticks (99.2%) were Ixodes ricinus, but 14 ticks from sheep and goats were identified as Dermacentor marginatus and two ticks from wild ruminants were identified as Hemaphysalis punctata. PCR analyses of 700 ticks revealed the presence of Babesia divergens (n = 6), Babesia sp. genotype EU1 (n = 14), and B. major (n = 2), whose suggested occurrence was confirmed in this study by molecular analysis, and the presence of novel Babesia sp. genotype CH1 (n = 4), which is closely related to B. odocoilei and to Babesia sp. genotype RD61 reported from North America. The identification of B. divergens and B. major in ticks collected from wild ruminants cast doubt on the postulated strict host specificity of these bovine Babesia species. Furthermore, the zoonotic Babesia sp. genotype EU1 was detected in ticks collected from domestic animals but was obtained predominantly from ticks collected from wild ruminants. More than one tick containing DNA of different Babesia spp. were collected from two red deer. Hence, the role of these game animals as reservoir hosts of Babesia spp. seems to be important but requires further investigation.     

On the visual perception of the eyes in adult Hyalomma truncatum ticks (Acari: Ixodidae)

Adult Hyalomma truncatum ticks with uncovered and foil-covered eyes were exposed to an upright-positioned rectangle as a target giving a luminance contrast ratio of 5:1 at a sun-simulating radiation. The transmission rate of the foil was less than 0.003%. Significantly (p0.05) more locomotorally active ticks with uncovered eyes (36.6%) responded to the target than ticks with foil-covered eyes (7.3%). When the rectangle was illuminated by monochromatic light at wavelengths ranging between 420 and 648 nm, the target induced a positive scototaxis in ticks with uncovered eyes regardless of the wavelength range. In contrast, ticks with covered eyes did not exhibita positive scototaxis at wavelength ranges of 553–585 and 608–648 nm and very few ticks responded only to other wavelength ranges. The results indicate that the eyes are the only or at least the most essential sense organs in the visual system of adult H. truncatum ticks.     

Morphology of spiracles in adult Hyalomma truncatum ticks (Acari; Ixodidae)

Scanning electron microscopical investigations of fractures and corrosion casts of spirales in adult ticks of Hyalomma truncatum revealed a three-part structure consisting of the spiracular plate forming the outer part followed by the subostial space, which leads into the atrial chamber from which the main tracheal trunks arise. The spiracular plate sonsists of a thin surface plate perforated by aeropyles, an underlying interpedicellar space formed by pedicels and an inner thick base plate. The surface plate is subdivided into a porous and a non-porous area. The macula is surrounded by the porous area and cleft by the ostium, which is bounded by a lip. The lip rests on a stalk which passes through the subostial space and forms the lateral wall of the atrial chamber. The interpedicellar space is chambered comprising four types of chambers. Large pyriform chambers (type 1) open to the atmosphere via a large aeropyle and are connected at their base with a duct traversing the base plate. They correspond numerically and in their position with the large aeropyles and the ducts of the base plate. Each chamber is surrounded by four to six medium-sized tubular chambers (type 2) which are closed at both ends. Small tubular chambers (type 3) open to the atmosphere via a small aeropyle, are closed at their base and correspond in number and position to the small aeropyles. Elongated chambers (type 4) are arranged in two to three rows around the subostial space and are closed at both ends. The front row communicates with the subostial space via large gaps. All chambers interconnect with each other by slit-like fenestrations. Below the macula and surrounding the stalk is the subostial space. Over the medial half, the subostial space opens into the atrial chamber. The lateral wall of the atrial chamber is thick, whereas the opposite wall is thin, folded and can be everted and inverted. Inverted, the medial wall closes up the opening to the subostial space and the main tracheal trunks. The base of the atrial chamber sonsists of the openings of the main tracheal trunks only. It is concluded that the aeropyles constitute the functional openings of a spiracle, the interpedicellar space and the subostial space act as diffusion barrier and the atrial chamber is exclusively responsible for the motory process of in- and expiration and is the only closing device of the spiracle.     

Further records of ants (Hymenoptera: Formicidae) from Iran

Wide ranging surveys of the ant fauna of Iran have enabled us to add a further 30 named species to the country list. A review of almost all the published literature and of photographs of unidentified specimens within the public domain gives a grand total of 248 species, from seven subfamilies and 37 genera. In the majority of instances, our own specimens were compared with type images available from antweb.com. This has led us to propose new or revised status for Cataglyphis turcomanica Crawley 1920, Lepisiota integrisquama (Kuznetsov-Ugamsky, 1929), Lepisiota surchanica (Kuznetsov-Ugamsky, 1929) and Messor obscurior Crawley 1920. We note that the total includes a number of what may be misidentifications and a small number of named species that seem unlikely to occur in Iran.     

Importance of ticks and tick-borne diseases of domestic ruminants in Southern Europe

In Southern Europe, as elsewhere, the importance of ticks and tick-borne diseases (TBD) depends on the species of tick vectors present and also varies to a great extent according to the genetic susceptibility of the livestock involved, as well as other factors such as management and vegetation. There are large gaps in our knowledge of the tick species in the various countries, and of the prevalence and economic importance of the diseases they transmit. There is a great need for tick surveys as well as surveys of tick-borne infections. It is essential to distinguish between infection and disease. A list is given of TBD and their vectors known or to be expected to occur in domestic ruminants in Southern Europe. It is hoped that the exchange of knowledge during this workshop will indicate the importance of these parasites in the various countries involved.     

Hyalomma truncatum (Acari; Ixodidae): evidence for the inability of adult ticks to discriminate between colours

Behavioural investigations into the perception and differentiation of coloured objects by unfed adult Hyalomma truncatum ticks revealed that silhouettes of blue, green, red and yellow colour, under illumination by a sun-simulating waveband spectrum, are perceived by the ticks and responded to equally by a directed response. Two green or dark grey rectangles each with a luminance contrast ratio of 5 : 1 against the white wall of the test arena in combination with an overlapping, equally sized dark grey or green target were consistently reached by ticks in a ratio of 2 : 1. Since the outer targets were occupied by the double number of ticks compared with the central silhouette this shows that the response is independent of the colour of the object. Investigations into target perception under monochromatic radiation of different wavelength ranges which were evenly adjusted in their irradiances revealed that ticks responded equally to a black target irradiated by blue, green, yellow and red light of wavelengths 428–472, 517–563, 549–591 and 606–654 nm, respectively. These results indicate the lack of true colour vision in H. truncatum.     

Taxonomy and distribution of sand boas of the genus Eryx Daudin, 1803 (Serpentes: Erycidae) in Iran

We review the distribution, morphology and taxonomic status of Eryx elegans, E. jaculus, E. miliaris, E. tataricus and E. johnii in Iran and examine four metric and 10 meristic characters of 94 specimens from different parts of the country. There are significant morphological differences between Eryx tataricus, E. jaculus and E. elegans, mainly in snout vent length, tail length, and number of ventrals, subcaudals and dorsal scales. Eryx jayakari and E. johnii can easily be distinguished based on their morphological traits and limited distribution in Iran. The occurrence of E. miliaris in Iran was not confirmed. The Iranian populations of Eryx jaculus are assigned to the subspecies E. j. turcicus. E. jaculus specimens from southwestern Iran had higher ventral scales than other populations, so evaluating their taxonomic status needs genetic studies in the future. A distribution map and a revised key to the genus Eryx in Iran are presented.     

Prevalence of Theileria in the tick Hyalomma detritum detritum in the Doukkala region,Morocco

Abstract. The overall prevalence of Theileria species, mainly, if not exclusively, T.annulata, in 901 Hyalomma detritum detritum collected from cattle in the Doukkala region of Morocco over a period of 2 years was 21.5%. The quantity of infection (number of sporoblasts per infected tick) followed the negative binomial distribution with between one and 250 sporoblasts per infected tick. Infected ticks were found in eight of fourteen areas examined whilst T.annulata was present in all fourteen. There were significant differences in both the prevalence and the quantity of infection between ticks collected from different farms, and between nymphs collected in the autumn from these farms, and moulted in the laboratory, and adults collected in the following summer. The prevalence, but not the quantity, of infection was higher in female than in male ticks. No correlations were established between infection of engorged nymphs and the breed, sex and Theileria piroplasm parasitaemia of the host animal. However, calves infected a greater proportion of nymphs than adult cattle and the heavier the infestation of nymphs on an animal, up to a plateau, the higher the prevalence of infection in those nymphs. There were no differences in infection between ticks moulted at 24^oC and 37^oC, after the engorged nymphs had been stored at 18^oC to simulate over-wintering.     

The dependence of Hyalomma aegyptium on its tortoise host Testudo graeca in Algeria

Hyalomma aegyptium (Linnaeus, 1758) (Ixodida: Ixodidae) has recently been confirmed as a carrier of numerous pathogenic, including zoonotic, agents. Four environmentally distinct regions of Algeria, located between the humid coastal zone and the arid Saharan Atlas range, were selected in order to compare differences in tick abundance among localities, and the correlations between tick abundance and host population characteristics and other environmental conditions. Sampling was carried out during May and early June in 2010–2012. A total of 1832 H. aegyptium were removed from 201 tortoises. Adult ticks accounted for 52% of the collection. In the pre‐adult stages, larvae were dominant. Data on prevalence, intensity (mean ± standard deviation, range) and abundance of tick infestation were calculated for each locality. Locally, prevalences reached 100%. The sex ratio was biased in favour of males (4.2). Intensities of infestation differed significantly among the localities studied for all developmental stages of the tick. The intensity of infestation by adult ticks was positively correlated to the size of the tortoise and with tortoise population density in the habitat. However, findings for immature tick stages were independent of both variables. No significant correlations between infestation intensities and the climatic parameters tested were found. Immature ticks were observed to prefer the front parts of their tortoise hosts, whereas the majority of adults were attached to the rear parts.     

Hyalomma truncatum (Acari; Ixodidae): investigations into the scototaxis of unfed adult ticks

Under controlled test conditions, unfed male and female Hyalomma truncatum ticks exhibited a positive scototaxis to stationary, two-dimensional targets. Upright-positioned rectangles were the most attractive targets. The attractiveness of these targets increased with their size. Significantly more ticks responded scototactically positively to the targets under a luminance contrast ratio of 5:1, as compared with other luminance contrast ratios. Targets with an elevation angle of 13° were occupied more frequently than objects with higher elevation angles. Scototaxis was the same towards a stationary and a sinusoid oscillating target. When an upright-positioned rectangle was combined with a CO₂ gradient, the number of ticks that migrated into the CO₂ gradient and contacted the target did not increase significantly. The interval between exposure and first locomotion of the ticks, however, was significantly shorter under the influence of a CO₂ gradient than in all other experiments without a CO₂ gradient. A temperature gradient simulating a natural host (cattle) did not alter the scototaxis. The results of these investigations suggest that the positive scototaxis exhibited by adult H. truncatum ticks is not likely to be part of their appetence behaviour but rather searching behaviour to find adequate protection from harsh climatic conditions.     

A contribution to the knowledge of the anostracan fauna of Iran

We report the finding of three anostracan species, Chirocephalus skorikowi Daday, 1913, Branchinecta orientalis Sars, 1901 and Branchinella spinosa. Milne-Edwards, 1840 in different localities in northwestern Iran. C. skorikowi was recorded in a lake at an elevation of 2400 m, whereas B. orientalis was found in a pond at 1280 m a.s.l. Co-existing B. spinosa and B. orientalis were collected in a pool close to the town of Tabriz, formerly indicated by Brehm (1954) as Estakr Chah, presently named EalGoli. Unlike Brehm (1954), we did not find Streptocephalus in the area of Tabriz.     

Hyalomma ticks on northward migrating birds in southern Spain: Implications for the risk of entry of Crimean‐Congo haemorrhagic fever virus to Great Britain

Crimean‐Congo haemorrhagic fever virus (CCHFV) is a zoonotic virus transmitted by Hyalomma ticks, the immature stages of which may be carried by migratory birds. In this study, a total of 12 Hyalomma ticks were recovered from five of 228 migratory birds trapped in Spring, 2012 in southern Spain along the East Atlantic flyway. All collected ticks tested negative for CCHFV. While most birds had zero Hyalomma ticks, two individuals had four and five ticks each and the statistical distribution of Hyalomma tick counts per bird is over‐dispersed compared to the Poisson distribution, demonstrating the need for intensive sampling studies to avoid underestimating the total number of ticks. Rates of tick exchange on migratory birds during their northwards migration will affect the probability that a Hyalomma tick entering Great Britain is positive for CCHFV. Drawing on published data, evidence is presented that the latitude of a European country affects the probability of entry of Hyalomma ticks on wild birds. Further data on Hyalomma infestation rates and tick exchange rates are required along the East Atlantic flyway to further our understanding of the origin of Hyalomma ticks (i.e., Africa or southern Europe) and hence the probability of entry of CCHFV into GB.     

Morphology of the Eyes in adult Hyalomma Truncatum Ticks (Acari: Ixodidae)

The eyes of Hyalomma truncatum ticks are morphologically similar in both sexes. They appear aspaired hemispherical structures situated dorsally between the first and second pair of legs on thelateral scutal margin. Each eye consists of a lens and photoreceptor cells, which are separated by afine fibrillar layer and the hypodermis. The lens contains numerous channels which open beneaththe epicuticle, converge uninterruptedly to the interior of the lens and end below the fine fibrillarlayer. The inner closure of the lens is formed as an oval plateau with a cone-like projectionsituated caudolaterally and eccentrically to the longitudinal axis of the lens. The hypodermis is asingle layer of cells, situated immediately below the fine fibrillar layer. Beneath the hypodermis,directly below the cone-like projection of the inner lens are the photoreceptor cells localized in arosette-like arrangement. Facing the hypodermis, each photoreceptor cell is provided withnumerous microvilli. The microvilli consistently border the microvilli regions of other cells atdifferent angles but are always oriented at a right angle to the lenticular channels. Thephotoreceptor cells are unipolar neurons, whose axons arise from the basal portion of the cell andjoin to nerve fibre bundles forming the optic nerve. It is concluded that the eyes in adult H.truncatum ticks possess all the structures necessary to perceive and conduct light stimuli andvisual signals.     

Anopheles culicifacies in Baluchistan, Iran

Abstract. Anopheles culicifacies (probably species A) is the main vector of malaria in Baluchistan, southeastern Iran. Adult mosquitoes were collected during 1990-92 by five methods of sampling: knock-down pyrethrum space-spray indoors, human and animal bait (18.00–05.00 hours), pit shelters and CDC light traps, yielding 62%, 3%, 6%, 4% and 25% of specimens, respectively. Whereas spray-catches comprised c. 70% gravid and semi-gravid females, light trap catches were mostly ( c . 60%) unfed females, while females from pit shelters comprised all abdominal stages more equally (13–36%). An. culicifacies populations peaked in April-May and rose again during August-November. Densities of indoor-resting mosquitoes were consistently greater in an unsprayed village than in villages subjected to residual house-spraying with propoxur, malathion or pirimiphos-methyl. Monthly malaria incidence generally followed fluctuations of An. culicifacies density, usually with a peak in May-June.     

Novelty in Centaurea sect. Acrocentron (Asteraceae,Cardueae) from Iran

A new species, Centaurera bojnordensis Ranjbar, Negaresh & Joharchi (Asteraceae), endemic to Khorasan Province in northeastern Iran and belonging to Centaurea sect. Acrocentron, is described and illustrated. This species is mainly distinguished from C. sintenisiana of C. sect. Acrocentron by its indumentum of stem, shape and size of involucres, cilia and spine length. In addition, geographical distribution of the two species is presented and shown. (© 2013 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)     

A new species and new distribution records of Zercon C. L. Koch from Iran (Acari: Zerconidae)

A new species of the family Zerconidae, Zercon persicus sp. n., is described based on female and male morphological characters. It was collected in West Azarbaijan province (northwestern Iran). Idiosomal chaetotaxy, poroidotaxy and related notations are illustrated. The similarities and differences between the related species within the genus are discussed. Records of some other Zercon species from the province are given for the first time.

http://www.zoobank.org/urn:lsid:zoobank.org:pub:3D1122C7-2B86-40D2-974E-EE69035A2413     

The conjunctival epithelium in domestic ruminants. II. Electronmicroscopic investigations

The basal cells of all types of epithelia in the domestic ruminants have a smooth surface in their proximal part or are furnished with branched cytoplasmic projections. The cytoplasm of many basal cells contains a few or many micropinocytotic vesicles, which can be arranged in a moniliform manner. The intermediate cells as well as the cells of the stratum superficiale - with the exception of the uppermost layers of the stratified squamous epithelium - are characterized by the presence of a great number of membrane-bound granules. Microvilli which project over the uppermost epithelial cells only occasionally contain a filamentous internal structure. The apical closure of the epithelium is preferentially formed by zonulae occludentes (tight junctions) with maximally 2-3 tight junction seals, they are followed proximally by 1-2 desmosomes. Zonulae adhaerentes can only rarely be observed. The nervous supply of the conjunctival epithelium which is best developed in the bulbusfacing side of the nictitating membrane is brought about by sub- and intraepithelial nerve-endings.