Study of cattle ixodid ticks in Khoozestan province, South-West of Iran

Abstract

Ticks are considered to be the main vectors for transmission of various diseases to animals and human. The present faunistic study aimed to determine species belonging to Ixodidae ticks, infesting cattle of Khoozestan province, south-west of Iran. Totally 1000 ticks were collected randomly from cattle from 9 locations in five geographical regions between January to September 2011, and were identified to the species level using valid identification keys. Eight tick species in fourdifferent genera were identified as Hyalomma anatolicum (39%), Rhipicephalus sanguineus (25.4%), Hyalomma excavatum (14.3%), Hyalomma asiaticum (6.8%), Haemaphysalis sulcata (3.7%), Hyalomma scupense (3.4%), Hyalomma spp. (3.4%), Rhipicephalus (Boophilus) anuulatus (2%) and Hyalomma dromedarii (2%). As some of the collected ticks are potential vectors for transmission of pathogens to animals and humans; more studies with focus onveterinary and public health importance of these species are recommended.