Morphological and molecular characterization of(Acari: Gamasida: Dermanyssidae) isolates of Al- Baha province.

Abstract

BACKGROUND: An ectoparasite known asfeeds on infected blood with a high frequency in European chicken farms resulting in significant economic losses. AIM: The objective of the current work was to characterize, which infests laying hens on farms in Southern Al-Baha morphologically, and molecularly, and to determine the evolutionary relationship between the species. METHODS: All mites that were morphologically recognized aswere submitted to molecular analysis by PCR, which focused on the mitochondrial cytochrome oxidase subunit Iand internal transcribed spacers (ITS) of ribosomal DNA. RESULTS: Morphological identification of the parasites uncovered three distinct features: a triangular anal shield, a broader than longer sternal shield, and a rounded posterior genitoventral shield. Eachsample was amplified using a single band, measuring 550 bp for the cox1-targeting PCR, and 530 bp for the ITS-targeting PCR. The sequences ofwere added to the GenBank. CONCLUSION: At the molecular identification level, this research identifiesin Al-Baha for the first time. The results collectively provide a foundation for further research to understand the epidemiology and the part of this superfamily in the epidemiology of certain zoonosis.