Morphometric study on male specimens of hyalomma anatolicum [acari: ixodidae] in west of Iran

Hyalomma anatolicum is the well-known hard tick, which is one of the most important livestock and human pathogens vector, wide range in host and distributed in all over the Hyalomma geographic fauna as well as in Iran. Taxonomy of the Hyalomma ssp. is debatable whereas their identification is a problematic work. The reasons for this claim is time consuming Delpy's researches in Iran also Schulze School, Feldman-Muhsam and the Russian tick workers. We would like to understand morphometric variation in the field collected H. anatolicum in Iran also validating some morphologic quantitative and qualitative characters. A total 247 field-collected tick specimens from different geographical regions in west of Iran includes Khuzestan and Lorestan Provinces were studied. The morphologic characters of the ticks were measured by the calibrated stereomicroscope armed scaled lens. The measurements were analyzed using SPSS for windows, version 16 on an IBM PC, so varied shapes of species in different geographic regions were drawn by the aid of a drawing tube connected to a light stereomicroscope. One way ANOVA test revealed significant differences among the quantitative parameters in five zones [P< 0. 00 1] also each zone to other zone by Post Hoc Tests e.g. LSD. No significant differences in the lateral grooves length/conscutum length ratio parameter were found. Morphometric variation in Hyalomma spp is poorly studied. The variation in range and quantity of the morphometric parameters of H.anatolicum underlies that the correct recognition and key construction for Hyalomma species dependes on a complement morphometric study on the other species

Laboratory study on biological control of ticks [Acari: Ixodidae] by entomopathogenic indigenous fungi [Beauveria bassiana]

Chemical control method using different acaricides as spray, dipping solution or pour-on is routinely used for controlling ticks. Biological control agents are favorable due to their safey for animals and environment. Entomopathogenic fungi such as Beauveria bassiana are well known for controlling ticks. In this study, two Iranian indigenous strains of B. bassiana [B.bassiana 5197 and B. bassiana Evin] were selected and grown on specific media. The pathogenic effects of these strains were evaluated on adult stages of two Iranian Ixodidae members [H.anatolicum anatolicum Koch 1844, and H. marginatum Koch 1844] by dipping method. Two Iranian strains of Beauveria bassiana [Beauveria bassiana 5197 and Beauveria bassiana Evin] were selected and were grown successfully on specific media. The pathogenic effects of these strains were evaluated on adult stages of Iranian Ixodidae members such as, Hyalomma anatolicum anatolicum and H. marginatum by dipping method [these ticks were grown up at laboratory conditions during 2002 up to 2003 and still its is continued]. There was no effect of strain 5197 on mortality of fecundity rates for ticks. There was acute phase sign of paralysis in test group after dipping ticks in suspension made from Evin strain of b. bassiana. In addition, the test groups were totally died after four months, but the control groups survived for six months. High concentration of fungal spores is needed for inducing fungal infection. Additional study using different strains and fungi on Iranian ticks is proposed

Comparison of excretory-secretory and somatic antigens of ornithobilharzia turkestanicum in agar gel diffusion test

Ornithobilharziosis as one of the parasitic infections may give rise to serious economic problems in animal husbandry. The Aim of the study was to prepare and compare the somatic and excretory-secretory [ES] antigens of O. turkestanicum in gel diffusion test. Excretory-secretory [ES] and somatic antigens of OrnithobiIharzia turkestanicum were prepared from collected worms from mesentric blood vessels of infected sheep. The laboratory bred rabbits were immunized with antigens and then antisera were prepared. The reaction of antigens and antisera was observed in gel diffusion test. ES antigens of this species showed positive reaction with antisera raised against ES and also somatic antigens. Somatic antigens also showed positive reaction with antisera raised against somatic and also ES antigens. The antigenicity of O. turkesbanicum ES and somatic antigens is the same in gel diffusion test