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11 August 2021 Integrative Taxonomy of Dermacentor variabilis (Ixodida: Ixodidae) with Description of a New Species, Dermacentor similis n. sp.
Paula Lado, Mael G. Glon, Hans Klompen
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Abstract

Dermacentor variabilis is the most widely distributed three-host tick in North America, and transmits a variety of pathogens. Within the United States, this species has a discontinuous distribution, widespread east of the Rocky Mountains and with a few populations west of the Rockies. Phylogenetic evidence based on individual markers or relatively small data sets has suggested that populations at both sides of this geographic barrier may correspond to two different species. In this study, we further explore this hypothesis using an integrative taxonomy framework. Both molecular (mitochondrial and nuclear markers) and morphological analyses of specimens collected from central-eastern and western states were performed to explore species delimitation in this taxon. Results from these analyses were consistent, and provide strong evidence that D. variabilis actually corresponds to two species. Herein, the western populations are described as a new species, Dermacentor similis n. sp. The usefulness of integrative taxonomy in the context of species delimitation is also discussed.

© The Author(s) 2021. Published by Oxford University Press on behalf of Entomological Society of America. All rights reserved. For permissions, please e-mail: journals.permissions@oup.com.
Paula Lado, Mael G. Glon, and Hans Klompen "Integrative Taxonomy of Dermacentor variabilis (Ixodida: Ixodidae) with Description of a New Species, Dermacentor similis n. sp.," Journal of Medical Entomology 58(6), 2216-2227, (11 August 2021). https://doi.org/10.1093/jme/tjab134
Received: 4 April 2021; Accepted: 23 June 2021; Published: 11 August 2021
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KEYWORDS
population genetics
species delimitation
systematics
tick
vector
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