Molecular screening for tick-borne bacteria and hematozoa in cf. and (Ixodida: Ixodidae) from western highlands of Panama.

The first molecular screening for , , , , and was carried out in questing cf. and from Talamanca Mountains, Panama, using specific primers, sequencing and phylogeny. Phylogenetic analyses for the microorganisms in cf. confirmed the presence of sp. strain IbR/CRC endosymbiont (26/27 ticks), three genotypes of the () complex (4/27 ticks), (1/27 ticks), and sp. (2/27 ticks), tentatively designated sp. strain Chiriquensis. Phylogenetic analyses for the microorganisms in revealed an undescribed sp., tentatively designated sp. strain Itapirus LQ (6/6 ticks), and (2/6 ticks). To the best of our knowledge, this is the first report of . (.) complex, , , and sp. in ticks from Central America, and also the first detection of spp. in species in Panama. In light of the importance of these findings, further studies are needed focusing on the role of and cf. as vectors, and the vertebrates acting as reservoirs.