Molecular characterization and phylogenetic insight of cattle tick Rhipicephalus microplus from subtropical mountainous terrain of Meghalaya, India

Meena Das

doi:10.56093/ijans.v95i7.168328

Authors

Meena Das ICAR Research Complex for NEH Region, Umiam, Meghalaya

https://doi.org/10.56093/ijans.v95i7.168328

Keywords:

Rhipicephalus (Boophilus) microplus, Molecular characterization,, COXI gene, Meghalaya

Abstract

The present study intended to investigate the prevalence, molecular characterization, and phylogenetic perspectives of cattle tick Rhipicephalus microplus from Meghalaya's sub-tropical mountainous terrain. From April 2022 to December 2023, 539 ticks were collected from Holstein-Friesian (62) and Jersey (28) crossbred cattle of about one year age from Umling and Umsning blocks of Ri Bhoi district, Meghalaya. Ticks were identified morphologically, and haemoprotozoan parasites were detected by staining thin blood smears with Giemsa stain. The overall incidence of R. microplus tick in crossbred (Holstein Friesian) cattle was 11.36%. Babesia bigemina infection was detected in merely 9.37% of Umiam's crossbred (Holstein Friesian) cattle. Tick mitochondrial DNA cytochrome c oxidase subunit I (COXI) genome amplification by Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) revealed 713bp band size. Sequencing and BLAST analysis of mitochondrial COX1 gene confirmed R. microplus isolate from Umiam, Meghalaya (OR830443.1). Mitochondrial COX1 gene of R. microplus isolates from Pakistan (OP379525.1), Bangladesh (MG459962.1), Myanmar (MG459964.1) and China (OQ547218.1, OR083275.1) shared 99.63 to 100% nucleotide homology with the mitochondrial COX1 gene of R. microplus isolate from Umiam, Meghalaya (OR830443.1). A close genetic relationship of R. microplus isolates from Meghalaya, North East India with the Northern state, Haryana and Southern state, Tamil Nadu and Kerala was observed. This report may be considered to be the first work on the genomic description and phylogenetic insight about R. microplus in cattle from sub-tropical mountainous terrain of Meghalaya, India which will be useful in developing strategies for the management and control of R. microplus tick in the region.

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Author Biography

Meena Das, ICAR Research Complex for NEH Region, Umiam, Meghalaya

Senior Scientist
Division of Animal and Fishery Science

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