A survey on cattle hard ticks fauna in Maragheh city, Iran

Ticks are the most important ectoparasites which inflict heavy economic losses to livestock and transmit viral, rickettsia, bacterial and protozoal diseases. Ixodidae family is one of the most great tick family of domestic animals. So far, 13 different kinds and 650 species in five subgroups have been reported. The aim of this research is to assess quantitatively the extent of cattle infestations to these different ticks and also to identify the diversity of the species found in Maragheh. In this survey, carried out throughout fall 2015 to the end of summer 2016, a total number of 328 ticks were collected and identified including 224 Hyalomma spp. (68.30%), Rhipicephalus spp. 98 (29.88%), Dermacentor spp. 3 (0.91%) and Boophilus spp. 3 (0.91%) as the minimum infestation rate. From seasonal infestation prevalence aspect, in spring, 168 ticks, in summer 89 ticks and in autumn and winter 45 and 26 ticks were respectively, found on the cattle. Maximum infestation of cattle in summer and minimum in winter were observed. The maximum rate of the found ticks was observed in groin and the minimum was observed in testicle surfaces.