Ticks of Kazakhstan: a systematic review, evidence-based taxonomic checklist, and assessment of molecular confirmation gaps

Background Published estimates of Kazakhstan’s tick diversity vary because historical names, synonyms, regional records, unverified range statements, and unevenly sampled modern datasets have often been combined without consistent evidence criteria. We aimed to produce an auditable national checklist that separates verified occurrence from provisional, unresolved, and non-independent records. Methods We systematically reviewed English-, Russian-, and Kazakh-language sources reporting ticks from the present-day territory of Kazakhstan, with no lower publication-date limit and with searches conducted through 28 July 2026. Historical monographs, field surveys, molecular studies, collection-based records, and taxonomic works were evaluated at the taxon–locality–evidence level. Original names were retained and reconciled with current taxonomy. Records were graded according to locality and specimen traceability, identification method, molecular evidence for the tick itself, and availability of sequence or voucher information. Results The evidence database contained 62 source records and 206 taxon–locality evidence records. After reconciliation of 59 source-name entries, 42 species in ten genera and two families were retained: 23 met the strict criteria for verified occurrence and 19 were provisionally verified. Ten additional currently valid taxa were presented separately because their Kazakhstan occurrence requires primary-source confirmation, specimen re-examination, or taxonomic reassessment. Recently strengthened records included Hyalomma dromedarii, Dermacentor nuttalli, D. niveus, Ixodes occultus, I. crenulatus, Haemaphysalis concinna, Rhipicephalus annulatus, and Argas reflexus . Molecular identification of the tick was available for 13 of 23 verified species (56.5%) and 14 of all 42 retained species (33.3%). Evidence remained geographically and host-biased despite improved coverage of western and northern Kazakhstan. Conclusion Kazakhstan’s tick fauna cannot be represented reliably by a single inherited species total. The updated evidence-graded checklist provides a reproducible baseline for taxonomy, biodiversity assessment, veterinary and public-health surveillance, and targeted voucher-based molecular resampling in Kazakhstan and across Central Asia.