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The Rhipicephalus sanguineus group encompasses at least 12 validated species of Palearctic and Afrotropical hard ticks, which are relevant in veterinary medicine and public health. The taxonomy of R. sanguineus s.s., has been particularly intensely debated, due to its wide geographic distribution, morphological variants, parasite-host associations, and its capacity and vectorial competence for the transmission of several pathogens. By sequencing mitochondrial markers, it was possible to identify the existence of multiple lineages, among which the Tropical and the Temperate lineages stand out, particularly in America. However, the northern limit between these lineages is not clear due to the lack of extensive sampling across Mexico. For this reason, the aim of the present study was to determine the genetic diversity and structure of the R. sanguineus group in Mexico and to compare it with the populations reported in the Americas, in order to propose the northern limit of the R. sanguineus Tropical lineage and the potential regions of sympatry with R. sanguineus s.s. The findings of this study now confirm the presence of R. sanguineus s.s. in Mexico, showing a subtle genetic structure and high genetic diversity throughout its distribution in the Americas. In contrast, the Tropical lineage seems to be genetically less diverse in its overall distribution in the Americas. The genetic diversity of these two independent lineages could have important epidemiological implications in the transmission of tick pathogens.

Background. Micromammals are reservoirs of zoonotic parasites such as viruses, bacteria, protozoans and helminths. Objective. To present a review of the published literature on the study of zoonotic (or potential zoonotic) parasites of micromammals in the Yucatan Peninsula (PYU), Mexico, conducted by research groups of the Campus de Ciencias Biológicas y Agropecuarias (CCBA) of the Universidad Autónoma de Yucatán (UADY). Main findings. Thirty-two scientific contributions published from January 2002 to May 2020 were identified. Parasites such as viruses (Flavivirus spp.), bacteria (Rickettsia spp., Leptospira spp.), protozoans (Trypanosoma cruzi, Toxoplasma gondii) and helminths (Hymenolepis spp., Hydatigera taeniaeformis), were studied. These parasites were identified in 15 micromammal species, including rodents Mus musculus, Rattus rattus (Muridae), Heteromys gaumeri (Heteromyidae), Peromyscus yucatanicus, Sigmodon toltecus, Ototylomys phyllotis and Mesocricetus auratus (Cricetidae), Sciurus yucatanensis (Sciuridae), the marsupial Didelphis virginiana (Didelphidae), the coati Nasua narica (Procyonidae), the grison Galictis vittata (Mustelidae), and the bats Artibeus jamaicensis, Chiroderma villosum, Glossophaga soricina (Phyllostomidae) and Pteronotus mesoamericanus (Mormoopidae). Implications. Micromammals from the PYU harbor several zoonotic parasites which represent a public health risk. Conclusion. Thirty-two studies have been published by researchers of the CCBA-UADY that have increased the knowledge of the eco-epidemiology of zoonotic parasites of micromammals in the PYU.

Los roedores sinantrópicos participan en el ciclo infeccioso de numerosas enfermedades zoonóticas de importancia a nivel mundial y nacional, ya sea como reservorios, hospederos intermediarios u hospederos de los ectoparásitos vectores que transmiten a los agentes etiológicos. En Yucatán, México, las especies más frecuentes son Rattus rattus y Mus musculus, los cuales han sido identificados en medios rurales, sub-urbanos y urbanos. En los últimos años en Yucatán, se han realizado distintos estudios epidemiológicos en los que se han descrito a estos roedores como positivos a diversos agentes zoonóticos de relevancia en salud pública y animal. El objetivo de la presente revisión es caracterizar los agentes infecciosos reportados en estas investigaciones, para manifestar la importancia de los roedores sinantrópicos en la diseminación y/o control de las enfermedades endémicas en la región.