Molecular phylogeny of Psoroptes ovis isolated from ear canker in a domestic rabbit from South India.

BACKGROUND

Ear canker in domestic rabbits is caused by infestations of non-burrowing parasitic mites, Psoroptes spp., but the specific species responsible for these infestations remains unclear. This study reports the clinical signs and performs the molecular characterization and phylogenetic analysis of Psoroptes ovis isolated from the ear canal of a domestic rabbit in South India.

METHODS AND RESULTS

A one-year-old rabbit from a farm that housed both goats and rabbits presented with thick, grayish-white debris in the ear canal for the past week. Clinical examination revealed crusty otitis lesions, and microscopic analysis confirmed the presence of male and female Psoroptes mites, along with their eggs. Using Polymerase Chain Reaction targeting the mitochondrial cytochrome oxidase subunit 1 gene, the mites were identified as P. ovis (GenBank accession No. PQ661168). Phylogenetic analysis employing Maximum likelihood method revealed two major clades, with the isolate of the study most closely related to the one from South Korea. Haplotype network analysis using Median‑Joining Network identified eight distinct haplotypes.

CONCLUSIONS

This study confirms P. ovis as the causative agent of ear canker in domestic rabbits in South India and highlights its genetic similarity to isolates from other regions. The findings underscore the importance of molecular tools for accurate identification of mites. Further studies should focus on the molecular identification of Psoroptes spp. from diverse domestic animals and investigate the potential for cross-species transmission in mixed farming systems, particularly between rabbits and other livestock.