Bionomics of ticks collected from Sinai peninsula: 2-abundance, attachment sites, and density estimators of ticks infesting arabian camels

ABSTRACT

In this study, ten camels were examined monthly. A total of 5468 adult ticks of six species and subspecies of genus Hyalomma; H. dromedarii, H. Impeltatum, H. A excavatum, H. A. anatolicum, H. schulzei and H. marginatum rufipes in addition to 115 Hyalomma nymphs species were collected. Of these, the first four types represented about 96.2% of the total collection. The infestation rate was higher during the period from March to November. The large number of the adult ticks was concentrated on tail, brisket, anus and udder which totaled 68.2%. Attachment sites of males and females were not significantly correlated in most species. Nymphs were localized in few sites; whereas 91.6% of the total nymphs were attached to hump, neck, head [ear] and side. H. Dromedarii, H. Impeltatum and H a. excavatum were found on most of the body sites, tail, brisket, udder and anus totaling 79.9%. Males exceeded females in all sites and were on neck and legs. Females were the only stage collected from udder. Both sex of H. a. anatolicum were collected from tail. H. Schulzei and H. m rufipes were concentrated in brisket, udder, anus and tail