[ study of rhipicephalus species in Iran]

ABSTRACT

This study was conducted during 3 years period [2002-2004]. Tick sampling was carried out randomly from domestic animals during seasonal activity of ticks from different parts of Iran. 2170 ticks from 151 cattle, 629 sheep, 336 goats and 33 camels were collected. The occurance of tick infestation in cattle, sheep, goats and camels was 60%, 71.4%, 53% and 46% respectively. Sampled ticks of Rhipicephalus species have been identified as; Rhipiephalus sanguineus [37.9%] Rhipiephalus bursa [49.8%] and Rhipicephalus turanicus [12.23%]. All three species adopted in ecological zone II but Rhipicephalus sanguineus was the main tick species found in four zones of Iran. The comprative tick yield obtained from animals showed that Rhipicephalus bursa was the most aboundant in zone II but Rhipicephalus sanguineus was the rarest species in zone IV. The results described here suggest that livestock had almost different pattern of tick species in any localities of Iran