Molecular Characterization of Hard Ticks Infesting Camels in the Northern Region of Saudi Arabia Using the Barcoding Gene, Mitochondrial Cytochrome oxidase subunit I

The present study aimed to molecularly identify and characterize the hard ticks infesting camels from northern region (Ha’il province) of Saudi Arabia using mitochondrial barcoding gene cytochrome oxidase subunit I (COI). sequences tick samples in three regions Ha’il were aligned with those previously reported different geographic regions, revealing nine haplotypes, which six newly described this for first time. These haplotypes used determine their phylogenetic relationships maximum likelihood method, displaying two distinct clades corresponding Hyalomma dromedarii H. impeltatum. Moreover, showing highest homology deposited NCBI-GenBank including Arabia, obtained combined among them. results showed that belonging grouped determined as presence scupense (syn. detritum) together impeltatum suggests possible asymmetrical hybridization introgression between these species. mammal species apart also clustered a clade, indicating lineages show host specificities.