Molecular identification of some Haemaphysalis species (Acari : Ixodidae) using mitochondrial and nuclear evidences in parts of Iran

Haemaphysalis is the second largest ixodid tick genus. We decided to identify the Iranian Haemaphysalis species with the analysis of mitochondrial (COI & 16S rRNA) and nuclear (ITS2) gene sequences. Finally, 21 PCR products were sequenced, successfully. Phylogenetic trees were analyzed using BEAST software and Bayesian Inference method. Ha. sulcata and Ha. punctata were well differentiated using the 16S rRNA, COI and ITS2 genes. According to 16S rRNA and COI phylogenetic trees Ha. inermis is situated as an ancestral clade.