Abstract
Background:
An ectoparasite known as Dermanyssus gallinae feeds on infected blood with a high frequency in European chicken farms resulting in significant economic losses.
Aim:
The objective of the current work was to characterize D. gallinae, which infests laying hens on farms in Southern Al-Baha morphologically, molecularly, and to determine evolutionary relationship between the species.
Methods:
All mites that were morphologically recognized as D. gallinae were submitted to molecular analysis by PCR, which focused on the mitochondrial cytochrome oxidase subunit I (cox1) and internal transcribed spacers (ITS) of ribosomal DNA.
Results:
Morphological identification of the parasites uncovered three distinct features: a triangular anal shield, a broader than longer sternal shield, and a rounded posterior genitoventral shield. Each D. gallinae sample was amplified using a single band, measuring 550 bp for the cox1-targeting PCR, and 530 bp for the ITS-targeting PCR. The sequences of D. gallinae were added to the GenBank.
Conclusion:
At molecular identification level, this research identifies D. gallinae in Al-Baha for the first time. The results collectively provide a foundation for further research to understand the epidemiology and the part of this superfamily in the epidemiology of certain zoonosis.

Key words: Demanyssus gallinae, Morphologically and molecularly identification, cox1 gene, ITS, Phylogenetic