Molecular and morphological characterization of hard ticks (Acari: Ixodidae) infesting rodents in Southern Iran: evidence of a cryptic Haemaphysalis species.
BACKGROUND Hard ticks are important vectors of various zoonotic diseases. Identifying closely related tick species using morphological methods alone can be challenging. This study aimed to assess the taxonomic status of hard ticks infesting rodents in southern Iran using morphological and molecular approaches. METHOD...