Rhipicephalus camicasi Morel, Mouchet et Rodhain, 1976 is thought to be distributed across Africa, Arabian Peninsula and the Mediterranean region. It belongs to the Rhipicephalus sanguineus (Latreille, 1806) species complex. Mitochondrial genome sequences are becoming frequently used for the identification and differentiation of tick species. In the present study, the entire mitochondrial genome of R. cf. camicasi (~15 kb) collected from a camel in Saudi Arabia was sequenced and compared with mitogenomes of two species of Rhipicephalus Koch, 1844. The mitochondrial genome is 87.8% and 91.7% identical to the reference genome of R. sanguineus (sensu stricto, former "temperate lineage") and Rhipicephalus linnaei (Audouin, 1826) (former "tropical lineage"). The current study delivers a molecular reference for material that resembles R. camicasi. We propose to consider the current material, including the complete mitogenome, as the reference for R. camicasi, until a revision using topotypical material is available.
Although intranuclear coccidiosis was first identified in chelonians less than 30 years ago, it is now considered an important emerging disease. Symptoms include anorexia, weakness and weight loss, potentially leading to death of the infected animal. The use of molecular tools has led to improved diagnosis and has also led to an increase in known host species. Here we report a putative intranuclear coccidium in Mauremys leprosa (Schweigger), from Morocco, based on 18S rDNA sequence analysis. This is, to the best of our knowledge, the first report of this parasite from a freshwater terrapin species.