Extracting Genomic DNA from Dromedary Ticks

Only partially engorged females of H. dromedarii were used for DNA extraction where five ticks from each month were randomly selected. Before DNA extraction, ticks were washed by using ethanol and distilled water following a protocol (37 (link)). Each selected individual tick was homogenized using a sterile Kimble Kontes pellet pestle (Thermo Fisher, Waltham, MA) in a sterile 1.5-ml microcentrifuge tube. Genomic DNA was extracted from individual ticks using QIAamp Tissue Kit (Qiagen, Hilden, Germany) following the manufacturer's protocol. A spectrophotometer (Nano Drop ND-1000, Erlangen, Germany) was used to measure the concentration and quality of DNA. In addition, the quality of DNA was checked on 1.5% agarose gel. Genomic DNAs from five ticks were pooled and a total of 12 pools were prepared (one pool for each month) and then the DNA was stored at −80°C in the freezer until further use.