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(1) Background: Tabanids are one of the most neglected and difficult-to-identify groups within the order Diptera despite their medical–veterinary importance. Since 2010, DNA barcoding has proved to be a promising method for the identification of horseflies in the Old World, but until now it had explored little with regards to Neotropical species. In Mexico, faunal studies continue to be focused on certain regions of the country, which has limited the generation of taxonomic keys. Here, we employed the DNA barcoding approach to contribute to the knowledge of horsefly species in one of the least explored biogeographic provinces in Mexico, the state of Veracruz. (2) Methods: Tabanids were collected at two localities using Malaise traps during two seasons. With a sampling effort of 300 h per trap per site, a total of 22 specimens were collected and identified using taxonomic keys and partial amplification and sequencing of the mitochondrial gene cytochrome c oxidase subunit 1 (COI). (3) Results: Five species of the Tabanus genus were identified through taxonomic keys, and three of these species were confirmed through molecular analyses: T. oculus, T. commixtus, and T. pungens. (4) Conclusions: This is the first contribution of the sequence data of the Tabanidae family for Mexico and demonstrates that DNA barcoding is a vital tool for the recognition of Neotropical species. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Soft ticks are neglected competent vectors of a wide range of pathogenic microorganisms, among which bacteria of the genera Rickettsia and Borrelia stand out. In Mexico, previous studies have shown the presence of a member of the Ornithodoros talaje complex in the Virginia opossum (Didelphis virginiana Didelphimorphia: Didelphidae Kerr) from southeastern Mexico. However, its specific identification has not been achieved. Two D. virginiana were treated in a private clinic during the period of April–May 2022. Tick larvae were manually removed, DNA extraction was performed, and some genes from various bacterial and parasitic pathogens were amplified and sequenced. A total of 96 larvae were recovered, which were morphologically identified as Ornithodoros puertoricensis (Ixodida: Argasidae Fox); the 16 S sequences showed a similarity of 96.79%–99.51% with sequences of O. puertoricensis from Panama and Colombia. The presence of Rickettsia felis (Rickettsiales: Rickettsiaceae Bouyer et al.) was detected in 15 specimens from one host. The soft tick O. puertoricensis is recorded for the first time as an ectoparasite of the Virginia opossum in America and represents the second report for this soft tick in Mexico since 1963. This represents the most northern record of this tick species in its geographic distribution and brings a new soft tick‐Rickettsia association. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective. To estimate the prevalence of Cryptosporidium spp. in dual-purpose calves on cattle ranches in Veracruz, Mexico. Materials and methods. A cross-sectional epidemiological study was carried out in five municipalities from the center of Veracruz. The animals included in the study were calves between 1 and 60 days old. Stool samples were taken directly from the rectum. The modified Faust centrifugation technique was used to concentrate oocysts and Direct Immunofluorescent Test for their detection. In each ranch surveys were applied to know the characteristics of the animals and their management. General and specific prevalence was estimated. Variables were analyzed using the univariate Chi-square test to determine possible epidemiological associations. Results. The overall prevalence of Cryptosporidium spp. was 69.9%, and the municipality with the highest prevalence was Tlalixcoyan (96.6%). No significant difference was found between the age, sex, breed and consistency of the feces of the calves. The ranch (R9) was the only factor associated with Cryptosporidium spp. in the calves studied. Conclusions. There is a high prevalence of Cryptosporidium spp. in calves from dual purpose cattle ranches from the center of Veracruz, Mexico. Future studies are required to determine the predominant species and genotypes in the region for an integral understanding of the transmission dynamics and zoonotic potential of this protozoan. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]