Ecological review of Afrotropical Ixodes (Afrixodes) ticks: Distribution and host diversity, with a focus on...

Ixodidae (Acari: Ixodoidea) is a hard tick family well represented across the world, particularly the genus Ixodes being the most species-rich with more than 285 species described to date. Within this genus, the subgenus Afrixodes makes up the largest number of species among the different subgenera recognized and is almost exclusively endemic to the Afrotropical biogeographical region. This systematic review analysed 77 articles, following PRISMA guidelines, and highlighted the distribution of host data for species of the genus Afrixodes in Africa, with a focus on micromammals. Our data present the 66 species of this subgenus, classified by developmental stage, highlighting the lack of descriptions of the adult male, nymph and larva stages, geographical distribution, host specificity (over 200 mammal species, 28 bird species and one reptile) and the pathogens they harbour. We emphasize on micromammals, rodents and shrews, because due to their proximity to livestock and humans and their ecological niche common to many wildlife species, they have a very significant potential to spread ticks and tick-borne pathogens and have been under-investigated relative to large domestic or wild ungulates until now. This comprehensive analysis provides insights into the potential role of micromammals (rodents and shrews) in the spread of ticks and tick-borne pathogens.