Exploring the ecological and evolutionary relationships between Rickettsia and hard ticks in the Neotropical region.

This study addresses a meta-analysis of the distribution Rickettsia spp. in Neotropical region, as well their associations with ticks and vertebrates. A total 219 published reports on target region were compiled, providing 599 records 31 species recorded 50 Ixodidae. The aim is to capture phylogenetic relationships between rickettsiae carrying them focus co-speciation ticks-rickettsiae. We compared phylogeny ticks, rickettsiae, environmental gradients colonized by effect composition vertebrates feeding detection ticks. Results show that differences rickettsial do not depend vertebrate's blood-source. first time this result demonstrated. pinpoints some organisms are associated well-defined phylogenetical clusters Secondarily, probably only few cases, share phylogenetically distant distributed along gradient traits which overlap (i.e., different strains parkeri sensu lato). outline importance hosts habitat: these may act “bridges” for circulation species. There also many have been detected so far one tick species, pointing tight relationship or lack data preventing conclusions about bacteria other Two namely amblyommatis bellii majority (mainly Amblyomma spp.) seem be definite because they an essential symbiont conclude adequate analysis rickettsiae-ticks-habitat necessary address human health issues derived from infections rickettsiae.