Study on caprine hard tick fauna and seasonal variations of tick population in West Azarbaijan province
Subject Areas : Veterinary Clinical Pathologyسهراب Rasouli 1 , محمد Sadagian 2 , کمال Jafari 3 , اسماعیل Valizadeh 4 , مهران Mojarad 5
1 - Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Islamic Azad University-Urmia Branch, Urmia, Iran
2 - Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Islamic Azad University- Shabestar Branch, Shabestar, Iran
3 - Expert of Laboratory of Veterinary, Islamic Azad University-Urmia Branch, Urmia, Iran
4 - Expert of Laboratory of Veterinary, Islamic Azad University-Urmia Branch, Urmia, Iran
5 - Academic Member of Payameh Nor University, Naghadeh, Iran
Keywords: Iran, Goat, Tick, West-Azarbaijan,
Abstract :
In order to determine the tick specie of goats, reared in cities of west-Azarbaijan province, the present investigation was performed from March 2006 (Farvardin 1385) to April 2007 (Esfand 1385). Meanwhile, distribution of ticks according to age and sex on different part of the body and the seasonal variation of tick population and infestation were also studied. Overall 1800 goats of both sexes, from 21 cities and their suburbs in west-Azarbaijan province were examined for tick infestation. The results revealed 52 (2.88%) goats were infested by hard ticks. The highest percentage of infestation was observed in Miandoab area during June 2006 (Khordad1385), while the lowest percentage was in Shahindegh area during February 2006. There was a significant difference (p<0.005) in the tick population of goats during different seasons and months of the year. Out of 251 adult ticks and nymphs, the identified species were as follows: Rhipicephalus bursa (58.96%), Hyaloma anatolicum.anatolicum (35.85%), Dermacentor marginatus (3.98%) and Haemaphysalis puncatta (1.19%). Distribution of ticks over different parts of the body surface was as follows: the breasts (35%), groin (34%), head and neck (18%) and the testis (13%).
