New tick species identified in Turkey! Carries more than 30 diseases...

Prof. Dr. Adem Keskin from the Department of Biology at the Faculty of Science and Letters of Tokat Gaziosmanpaşa University (TOGÜ) announced that a new tick species, previously unknown in Turkey, has been discovered. This species, named "Haemaphysalis longicornis," has been added to the tick diversity in Turkey as the 56th species.

Prof. Dr. Keskin stated in his announcement that they have been conducting joint studies for a long time with Dr. Kandai Doi, a Wildlife Ecology Specialist from the Forestry and Forest Products Research Institute in Japan. Within the framework of this cooperation, ticks in Turkey are being examined in detail.

Stating that the tick specimen, which was noticed on a citizen in Istanbul last year, was delivered to them, Prof. Dr. Keskin said, "It is a tick of Far Eastern origin, likely from China. We believe it has established itself in our country. The study we conducted on the Haemaphysalis longicornis tick species with Dr. Kandai Doi from the Wildlife Ecology Division of the Japan Forestry and Forest Products Research Institute was published as an article in 'Experimental and Applied Acarology,' a respected international journal in its field."

Emphasizing that this new species has an invasive character, Prof. Dr. Keskin drew attention to potential risks, saying, "I think this species arrived in Turkey 3-4 years ago. We have been regularly collecting samples from the same region in the field since September. During this process, we observed the larva, nymph (resembling the adult form), and adult female stages of the tick. This shows that this species has settled in our country and has begun to reproduce."

HIGH RISK OF DISEASE TRANSMISSION

Addressing the danger posed by the Haemaphysalis longicornis species, Prof. Dr. Keskin said, "It is known that this tick carries more than 30 disease agents, similar to the Hyalomma marginatum, which has a high vector potential. We are currently monitoring its population. Within the scope of the project we are carrying out with the support of our university and rectorate, we are both monitoring the tick's population and conducting studies on the presence and prevalence of potential pathogens it may carry. Dr. Kandai Doi is also involved in this study. We are continuing the work together. The number of tick species in our country has reached 56, but the names of some species may change as a result of molecular studies. We are waiting for the results of these studies."

AN ASIAN-ORIGIN AND DANGEROUS SPECIES

Dr. Kandai Doi, who participated in the studies from Japan, drew attention to the origin of the discovered tick and stated, "We have recorded that it has been detected in Turkey for the first time. It is commonly seen especially in China and Australia. It also reached the USA after 2017. It caused serious health problems there in terms of animal diseases. As an invasive species, it carries a great risk for human health. It can carry more than 30 disease agents."

News Source: AA