Defining and comparison of biodiversity components of hard ticks on domestic hosts at Highland, Woodland and Plain in Northern Iran.

The aim of the present study was to compare the biodiversity patterns of tick species in the Northern Iran between June 2007 and June 2008. 41 villages within three locations, viz. highland, woodland and plain, were selected using cluster randomized sampling method. A total of 504 sheep and 162 cattle visited monthly for a period of 12 months for the presence of ticks. Estimated richness was calculated using rarefaction curves and richness estimators. Defining the contribution of biodiversity components was adjusted using SHE analysis. A total of 1,231 hard ticks (consisting of 6 genera and 6 species) were collected. Rhipicephalus bursa (in highland and plain) and Boophilus annulatus (in woodland) were identified as eudominant species with the most abundance. Seasonal activity of the ticks varied among species. Rarefaction curves showed that summer and spring had the highest species diversity and richness in different locations. SHE analysis revealed that evenness had the greatest effect on the changes of species diversity and also showed that all regions are mainly occupied by common species. The study demonstrated that the seasonal fluctuations of R. bursa have a significant impact on the changes of species diversity.

Defining and comparison of biodiversity components of hard ticks on domestic hosts at Highland, Woodland and Plain in Northern Iran

@#The aim of the present study was to compare the biodiversity patterns of tick species in the Northern Iran between June 2007 and June 2008. 41 villages within three locations, viz. highland, woodland and plain, were selected using cluster randomized sampling method. A total of 504 sheep and 162 cattle visited monthly for a period of 12 months for the presence of ticks. Estimated richness was calculated using rarefaction curves and richness estimators. Defining the contribution of biodiversity components was adjusted using SHE analysis. A total of 1,231 hard ticks (consisting of 6 genera and 6 species) were collected. Rhipicephalus bursa (in highland and plain) and Boophilus annulatus (in woodland) were identified as eudominant species with the most abundance. Seasonal activity of the ticks varied among species. Rarefaction curves showed that summer and spring had the highest species diversity and richness in different locations. SHE analysis revealed that evenness had the greatest effect on the changes of species diversity and also showed that all regions are mainly occupied by common species. The study demonstrated that the seasonal fluctuations of R. bursa have a significant impact on the changes of species diversity.

Species composition and abundance of mosquito larvae in relation with their habitat characteristics in Mazandaran Province, northern Iran.

Mosquitoes transmit a variety of diseases to humans. Their abundance and distribution are related to the characteristics of larval habitats. Mosquito larvae were collected from 120 natural and artificial habitats in 30 villages of 16 counties using standard 350 ml dippers and pipette, on a monthly basis from May-December 2014 in Mazandaran Province, northern Iran. Larval habitat characteristics were recorded separately, based on the conditions of the habitats (permanent or temporary, stagnant or running), type of habitats (natural or artificial), vegetation, exposure to sun, type of bed, water condition (clear or turbid), expanse (m), depth (cm, m) and temperature (°C) of habitats. The relationship between larval density and environmental variables was assessed by Chi-square tests. Totally, 19,840 larvae from three genera and 16 species were collected and identified. Anopheles maculipennis s.l. and Culex pipiens were the dominant species and collected with the highest density in plain areas. The highest number of larvae were collected from natural habitats (60.34%), including; river edge, marsh, pit and wetlands; with temporary and stagnant water, expanse of 0-5 m, depth of 1-25 cm, without plant, shadow-sun, muddy floor, turbid water, temperature 20-25°C and in sunny conditions. River edge and rice fields for An. maculipennis s.l and, wetlands and discarded tires for Cx. pipiens were the main larval habitats in the province. Statistical analysis revealed significant relation between occurrence of An. maculipennis s.l., Cx. pipiens, Culex torrentium, Culex mimeticus and Cs. annulata with each of the environmental variables (P < 0.001). These findings are essential in expanding our knowledge of the vectors ecology specially the type of habitat preference and will be beneficial in larval control programs.

Diversity and species composition of mosquitoes (Culicidae: Diptera) in Noor County, northern Iran.

Mosquitoes are highly important as public health problem due to their blood sucking habits and transmitting malaria, arboviruses and other diseases to humans. The present research was undertaken to determine the fauna, abundance, monthly distribution and activity of Culicidae mosquito larvae and adults in Noor County, northern Iran. This cross-sectional, descriptive study was conducted from August 2012 to November 2013 in the rural and urban outskirts of Noor. In each area, natural larval breeding places such as river beds, shallow wells, pits, sewer, marsh, small holes, tracks of animals as well as man-made breeding places like pools and rice paddy fields have been visited monthly for larval collection. To collect adult mosquitoes, human and animal dwellings including bedrooms, store rooms, toilets, barns, stables and pen were surveyed using WHO standard methods. A total of 844 larvae and 1484 adult mosquitoes were caught. Of the 665 Culicinae larvae, 501 were Cx. pipiens (75.3%), 108 Cx. mimeticus (16.2%) and 56 Cx. theileri (8.4%). Of the 179 Anophelinae larvae, 96 were An. hyrcanus (53.6%) and 83 An. maculipennis s.l. (46.4%). Among 889 adult Culicinae, 495 were Cx. pipiens (55.7%), 238 Cx. mimeticus (26.8%), 156 Cx. theileri (17.6%), and from 595 adult Anophelinae 371 were An. hyrcanus (62.4%) and 224 An. maculipennis (37.7%). Anopheles hyrcanus with 96 larvae (53.6%) and 371 adults (62.4%) and Cx. pipiens with 501 larvae (75.3%) and 495 adults (55.7%) showed the highest abundance and distribution in the county calling for more studies on their population, ecology, behavior and probable roles as vectors of various diseases.

Susceptibility status of field populations of Rhipicephalus bursa (Acari: Ixodidae) to pyrethroid insecticides.

Rhipicephalus bursa is a two-host ixodid tick with wide distribution in north of Iran especially in Mazandaran province. Acaricide treatment is the main tick control measure; however, acaricide resistance occurs in hard ticks in many areas of the world including Iran. Comprehensive information on susceptibility status of Rhipicephalus bursa is lacking, therefore, this study is undertaken to determine the susceptibility status of the species to pyrethroid acaricides and probable biochemical underlying mechanisms of resistance. From May 2013 to March 2014, engorged females Rhipicephalus bursa were collected using standard entomological procedures from body surface of sheep, goat and cattle in different areas of Mazandaran province, northern Iran. Eleven and ten pooled tick populations were tested against cypermethrin and lambda-cyhalothrin, respectively using larval packet test. Population SC-16 showed a maximum resistance ratio of 5.79 against cypermethrin in Sari County when compared to the most susceptible population NH-16 and 63.64% of tick populations were resistant at LC99 level. With lambda-cyhalothrin, 30% of the tick populations were resistant with low level and NK-2 was the most resistant population with resistance ratio of 4.32 in Nowshahr County. The results of biochemical assays demonstrated elevated levels of monooxygenases, glutathione S-transferases and esterases in pyrethroid resistant populations tested.

Biodiversity of culicid mosquitoes in rural Neka township of Mazandaran province, northern Iran.

BACKGROUND & OBJECTIVES: This paper presents the results of a study on ecological parameters including diversity indices applied on populations of Culicidae mosquitoes (Diptera: Culicidae) from three rural areas (Darvishan, Chalmardi and Khairabad) of Neka township in Mazandaran province, northern Iran. METHODS: Adult and larval stages of mosquitoes were systematically sampled to obtain data required for measuring diversity of mosquitoes in these areas. Alfa and beta indices were analyzed to compare mosquito diversity. A total of 5270 specimens belonging to four genera and 14 different species were collected and identified. RESULTS: Evaluation of dominance structure of species showed that culicid mosquitoes of Neka rangelands include one eudominant species, two dominant species, two subdominant species, two rare species and eight subrare species when Heydemann classification was used. INTERPRETATION & CONCLUSION: Data analysis revealed a higher diversity of mosquitoes in Khairabad with a low degree of interspecific dominance, while Darvishan and Chalmardi recorded the lowest observed diversity and a high degree of interspecific dominance. The cluster analysis based on Jaccard's index indicated the relationship between the categories and indicates that Darvishan and Khairabad are the closest categories in their specific composition.