HARD TICKS (ACARINA, IXODIDAE): SPECIES IDENTIFICATION, PHYLOGENY AND SYMBIOSES

This thesis is written in a cumulative format and it consists of a synopsis covering several aspects concerning to my research work on ticks (Acarina, Ixodidae) with a global approach, from morphological/molecular taxonomy to bacteria harbored and transmitted by ticks, to genomic, expression and population genetic studies. This is followed by result chapters presenting my research consisting of four published research articles, a submitted manuscript, an accepted manuscript and one manuscript in preparation. Finally, I have reported other aspect of my research work during my phD experience (i.e. other published papers, research activities and grants received).