Identifying the presence of tick-borne pathogens in ticks from bare-nosed wombats (Vombatus ursinus)

Ticks (Arachnida: Acari) are a vector of pathogenic microorganisms and are the biggest threat to animalhealth. There are currently 71 known Australian tick species, and many are associated with pathogens(bacteria, viruses and protozoa) that cause disease in humans, domestic animals and livestock. Little howeveris known about the presence or impact of tick-borne pathogens in native Australian wildlife. Vector-bornedisease is the primary cause of mortality in two of three extant wombat species (sarcoptic mange caused bythe mite Sarcoptes scabiei). It is therefore critical to understand the species of ticks that are parasitizingwombats and their pathogens. This study determined the species of ticks parasitizing wombats and otherAustralian mammals. A total of 50 hard ticks (Acari: Ixodidae) were collected and identified from barenosedwombats (Vombatus ursinus) and other native mammals using a light microscope and taxonomic keys.Tick species identified included Amblyomma papuanum, Aponomma auruginans, Haemaphysalis bremneri, H.longicornis and H. bancrofti. The results of this study list V. ursinus as a new host record for A. papuanum. Allidentified tick species have the potential to harbour zoonotic pathogens and will be screened for thepresence of bacteria, viruses and protozoa using 16s rRNA genotyping.