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This work increase the knowledge related to bat fauna present in the “Monte Pellegrino” Nature Reserve in the Palermo municipality. The acoustic sampling took place in the summer/autumn season using the D500X Bat detector in 22 samples. The identified signals were attributed to 8 species and one genus. The Taxa with the most passes in the reserve are: Tadarita teniotis followed by Pipistrellus kuhlii, Hypsugo savii (100% of Costancy), Pipistrellus pygmaeus, Pipistrellus pipistrellus, Plecotus sp., Miniopterus schreibersii and last with a single recording Rhinolophus ferrumequinum and Rhinolophus hipposideros. The dendrogram of similarity shows 3 distinct bats cenosis. Two samples present intense activity in almost all time slots and three samples, close to each, show a peak increase in the intermediate time slots for the three most abundant species. The analysis carried out on the environmental preferences shows that among the 13 Corine Land Cover (CLC) habitats, the highest number of passes is recorded in Artificial lakes (code 5122), Orchards (code 222) and Arid limestone grassland (code 3211). The Arid limestone grassland habitat (code 3211) has the highest Shannon Index value, while the Mastic stain habitat (code 32312) has the lowest diversity value. The dendrogram of similarity shows two clusters. In the first there are Gorse (code 32231), Mediterranean scrub (code 31111), Orchards (code 222), Mosaic of agricultural plots (code 242), while the second cluster contains the remaining habitats.

Simple Summary: Ticks are a serious health concern for animals and humans because they spread many infectious pathogens. This study focused on ticks collected from a nature reserve in Sicily (Italy), a popular area for recreation that is also inhabited by wild boars. The analysis concerned 214 ticks, including those found in the environment and those taken from wild boars, using molecular techniques to detect tick-borne pathogens (TBPs), especially those that can infect humans. Six species of ticks were identified: Hyalomma lusitanicum, Rhipicephalus pusillus, Rh. sanguineus s.l., Rh. bursa, Rh. turanicus, and Dermacentor marginatus. Fourteen percent of the ticks tested positive for pathogens, mostly bacteria from the Rickettsia genus, followed by single detections of Coxiella burnetii and Theileria annulata. Molecular identification detected Rickettsia slovaca, R. massiliae, Candidatus R. shennongii, R. conorii, R. felis, and R. barbariae. This diversity of ticks and pathogens highlights a potential risk to public health. The study found new links between specific tick species and TBPs, though further research is needed to understand these ticks' roles as vectors. It emphasizes the need to monitor ticks in both rural and urban areas to help prevent the spread of tick-borne diseases. Ticks are a major concern for both animal and human health, as they are primary vectors of infectious pathogens. This study focused on ticks found in a nature reserve in southern Italy, highly frequented for recreational activities and inhabited by wild boars. Using molecular techniques, 214 ticks, including questing ticks and those removed from wild boars, were examined for tick-borne pathogens (TBPs), with a focus on zoonotic pathogens. Six tick species were identified: Hyalomma lusitanicum, Rhipicephalus pusillus, Rh. sanguineus s.l., Rh. bursa, Rh. turanicus, and Dermacentor marginatus, several of which are known vectors of zoonotic pathogens. Overall, 14% of ticks were positive for TBPs, mainly bacteria of Rickettsia genus. Molecular analyses detected Rickettsia slovaca, R. massiliae, Candidatus R. shennongii, R. conorii, R. felis, and R. barbariae. Additionally, single detections of Coxiella burnetii and Theileria annulata were recorded. Phylogenetic analyses were conducted on Rickettsia sequences. The range of ticks and TBPs present in this area highlights potential public health concerns. New associations between tick species and TBPs were documented, though vector roles need further investigation. The study highlights the importance of monitoring tick populations in both rural and urban environments to protect public health and prevent tick-borne disease spreading. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]