Phylogenetic and phylogeographic relationships in Ixodesholocyclus and Ixodescornuatus (Acari: Ixodidae) inferred from COX1 and ITS2 sequences

► Ixodes holocyclus and Ixodes cornuatus each represents a single species. ► Ixodes holocyclus could be genetically distinguished between geographic ranges. ► There are no genetic differences between I.cornuatus within Australia. ► COX1 and/or ITS2 allow differentiate I. holocyclus from I. cornuatus unequivocally.