Genetic and genomic variability of <i>Spiroplasma</i> and <i>Midichloria</i> endosymbionts associated with the tick <i>Ixodes frontalis</i>.

ABSTRACT: Ixodes frontalis, an ornithophilic tick species, is widely distributed all over Europe exhibiting two genetically diverging haplogroups based on differences in the cytochrome c oxidase subunit 1 mitochondrial gene. Despite its broad distribution, little is known about the presence of symbiotic bacteria in I. frontalis, while symbionts are generally widespread in ixodid ticks and responsible for important effects on host fitness. We collected I. frontalis from France and Italy (n = 277) and assessed that the most prevalent haplogroup was A (73%). We then investigated the presence of the symbionts, Midichloria mitochondrii and Spiroplasma ixodetis. They were both found at a high prevalence in adult ticks (66% and 77% respectively), while the n

SUBMITTER: Melis S 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12645838 | biostudies-literature | 2025 Jan

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature