Microbiome Composition of <scp><i>Haemaphysalis flava</i></scp> in Korea and Diversity Analysis Based on Region, Developmental Stage, and Sex
ABSTRACT Ticks are well‐known vectors of various diseases and are widely distributed globally. In this study, we investigated the microbial community of Haemaphysalis flava , a common tick species in Korea, using 16S rRNA gene analysis. Alpha diversity analysis revealed that adult ticks had higher microbial richness and complexity than nymphs, and the highest diversity was observed in adult females. Significant regional differences were also found, with samples from Jinju and Boseong showing higher richness and samples from Jeju showing lower richness. Beta diversity analysis showed that microbial communities were clustered according to region and developmental stage, with unique clusters observed in Samcheok and Gokseong, which may be due to regional environmental factors. Proteobacteria dominated the microbial community in most samples, followed by Actinobacteriota and Firmicutes. At the genus level, Coxiella and Pseudomonas were dominant, and Coxiella may be associated with pathogen transmission. The abundance of other genera varied by region and developmental stage, reflecting complex host–microbe interactions. These findings highlight the influence of environmental, developmental, and biological factors on the H. flava microbiota, emphasizing the need for further research to understand the ecological role of the microbiota in pathogen transmission and to develop effective strategies for preventing tick‐borne diseases.
Authors
- Yong Hun Jo (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-9277-5772)
- Hee Il Lee
- Sung‐Jae Cha (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-0468-1723)
- Wook‐Gyo Lee
- Dae Kwon Song (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-5086-2093)
- Jung Han Yoon Park (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-5518-4279)
- Hyun woo Kim
- Yeon Soo Han (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-3621-046X)
- Sungsin Jo (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-3034-5029)
- Hyeok Lee (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-4865-9595)
- Jun Yang Jeong
- Hee Ju Hwang (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-7581-0812)
- Bharat Bhusan Patnaik
- So Young Park (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-4544-2462)
- Yong Seok Lee (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-8687-589X)
- Hyeonjun Shin
- Seong Yoon Kim (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-9501-7926)
- Min Kyu Sang (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-2949-4510)
- Jie Eun Park (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-8640-6313)
- Se Won Kang
- Kyoung Won Lee (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-7988-4061)
- C HONG
Institutions
- Fakir Mohan University (IN)
- Chonnam National University (KR)
- Mercer University (US)
- Soonchunhyang University (KR)
- National Institute of Biological Resources (KR)
- Korea Basic Science Institute (KR)
- Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency (KR)
- Korea Research Institute of Bioscience and Biotechnology (KR)
Publication Details
- Journal
- Entomological Research
- Published
- 2025-03-01
- DOI
- https://doi.org/10.1111/1748-5967.70031
- Primary Topic
- Ginseng Biological Effects and Applications
- Type
- article
- Field-Weighted Citation Impact
- 0.00
Funders
- Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency
- National Research Foundation
- Jeju National University
- Chonnam National University
- Chungbuk National University
- Chungnam National University
- Kosin University
- Kyungpook National University
- Soonchunhyang University
- Yonsei University
- Incheon National University
- Gachon University
- Inha University
- Korea Basic Science Institute
- National Research Foundation of Korea