Species description and molecular analysis of a hard tick () parasitizing wild Taiwan cobra snake () in southern Taiwan.

Species description based on the pictorial keys of morphological characters of female tick parasitizing wild Taiwan cobra snake () was firstly described in Taiwan. Molecular analysis based on the 16S mitochondrial gene sequences was performed by comparing eight ticks from Taiwan with other species documented in GenBank. In addition, two and two species were used as outgroups. All these Taiwan specimens constructing a monophyletic group which is genetically affiliated with and it can be discriminated from other species. This study provides the first species description and determines the genetic identity of adult ticks parasitizing wild Taiwan cobra snake. Further investigations focused on its ability to carry various tick-borne pathogens will help to illustrate the medical importance on human health in Taiwan.