A checklist of the ticks of Malaysia (Acari: Argasidae, Ixodidae), with lists of known associated hosts, geographical distribution, type localities, human infestations and pathogens

Abstract

Studies of ticks in Malaysia from past articles were reviewed, resulting in a list of 47 species belonging to seven genera (Argas, Ornithodoros, Amblyomma, Dermacentor, Haemaphysalis, Ixodes, and Rhipicephalus). The most prevalent genus in Malaysia is Haemaphysalis (20 species), followed by Amblyomma (eight species) and Dermacentor (seven species). Out of 47 species, only 28 have bitten humans, mostly belonging to Haemaphysalis. The most researched tick-borne pathogens in Malaysia are Rickettsia and Anaplasma, and most research was focused on the tropical-lineage brown dog ticks, R. sanguineus sensu lato, and the cattle ticks, Haemaphysalis bispinosa and Rhipicephalus microplus. 18 species were excluded from the list due to lack of definite records or dubious findings: Ornithodoros mimon, O. turicata, Amblyomma breviscutatum, A. clypeolatum, A. integrum, A. maculatum, Dermacentor marginatum, D. taiwanensis, Haemaphysalis birmaniae, H. flava, H. humerosa, H. longicornis, H. punctata, H. sulcata, Ixodes holocyclus, Rhipicephalus appendiculatus, R. annulatus and R. bursa. This paper presents the first complete and updated list for Dermacentor and Ixodes tick species in Malaysia since Kohls (1957). 

A new host record of Haemaphysalis semermis (Acari: Ixodidae) from the domestic cat (Felis catus) (Carnivora: Felidae) in Orang Asli village, Pahang National Park Malaysia

“…According to Hoogstraal et al (1965), H. semermis is closely similar to Haemaphysalis nadchatrami , another native species in Malaysia. Although both belonged to different species groups, H. semermis and H. nadchatrami were often similar in terms of host range and were sympatric (Hoogstraal et al 1965, 1972, Kazim et al 2022). Currently, there are no molecular data on these two species (Petney et al 2019).…”

“…The geographical distribution of H. semermis consists of Indonesia (Sumatra and Borneo islands) Malaysia, Thailand, and Singapore (Hoogstraal et al 1965, Guglielmone et al 2014). In Malaysia, H. semermis is widespread in some regions of the peninsula and the Borneo Island (Kazim et al 2022). Hosts from the orders Artiodactyla, Carnivora, Perissodactyla, and Rodentia were reported to be infested by this species in the country (Hoogstraal et al 1965, 1972).…”

Challenges for ticks and tick-borne diseases research in Southeast Asia: Insight from the first international symposium in Cambodia

“…The most studied TBP infecting both animals and humans in Malaysia is Rickettsia [ 2 , 59 ]. Rickettsia conorii (51/102), R .…”