First record and infestation pattern of Haemaphysalis muhsamae on wild mammals in Ghana

Ticks of the genus Haemaphysalis, akin to other tick genera, are obligate hematophagous ectoparasites of medical and veterinary importance, serving as vectors for various pathogens. Haemaphysalis ticks, like Haemaphysalis muhsamae (H. muhsamae) within the Haemaphysalis leachi group, have previously had taxonomic uncertainties, which recent revisions have validated. Historically restricted to Eastern and Southern Africa, knowledge of their presence in West Africa has remained uncertain. This study aimed to confirm the presence of H. muhsamae in Ghana and to investigate its distribution, host associations and infestation patterns across ecological zones and seasons. A total of 3816 ticks were collected from wild mammal carcasses at two bushmeat markets between 2020 and early 2021. Morphological examination and molecular analysis targeting the mitochondrial cytochrome oxidase I (COI) gene confirmed the presence of H. muhsamae in Ghana for the first time. Of the total, 140 ticks (3.7%) were identified as H. muhsamae, predominantly infesting the African civet (Civettictis civetta), striped ground squirrel (Xerus erythropus) and Kusimanse mongoose (Crossarchus obscurus). The species occurred in both forest (3.9%) and coastal savannah (3.5%) zones, with infestation intensity highest on African civets (p = 0.0032) and significantly greater during the wet season in the coastal savannah (p = 0.0213). Phylogenetic analysis showed close genetic similarity between Ghanaian specimens and those from the Democratic Republic of the Congo, suggesting a shared evolutionary lineage. These findings expand the known distribution of H. muhsamae and underscore the importance of ongoing tick surveillance and molecular characterization to better understand tick-borne disease risks in West Africa.