Molecular screening of Amblyomma species (Acari: Ixodidae) in Egypt, with first report of the snake tick Amblyomma latum Koch, 1844

Amblyomma species are non-endemic ticks in Egypt, which have been recorded from imported animals. This study was carried out in 2022 to monitor Amblyomma spp. from dromedary camels, cattle, and snakes in Egypt. During this study, 400 camels, 200 cattle, and two snakes (Pythonidae) were inspected for tick infestation. Collected specimens were identified based on morphological characters and confirmed by phylogenetic analysis of the 12S rRNA gene. Camels were infested by adult specimens of Amblyomma variegatum and Amblyomma lepidum , but no Amblyomma spp. were collected from cattle. Amblyomma variegatum showed high genetic similarity to other A. variegatum from Guinea-Bissau and São Tomé (99.996%), and A. lepidum showed high genetic similarity to other A. lepidum from Israel and Sudan (99.986%). Amblyomma latum is recorded in Egypt from African snakes for the first time and showed high genetic similarity with South African A. latum (99.867%).