Argas vespertilionis (Ixodida: Argasidae): A parasite of Pipistrel bat in Western Iran

Ticks (suborder Ixodida) ecologically divided into two nidicolous and non-nidicolous groups. More argasid ticks are classified into the former group whereas they are able to coordinate with the specific host(s) and living inside/adjacent to their host’s nest. The current study focused on an argasid tick species adapted to bats in Iran. Tick specimens collected on a bat were captured in a thatched rural house located in suburban Koohdasht in Lorestan province, west of Iran. Tick’s larvae and nymphs were identified as Argas vespertilionis (Latreille, 1796) by using descriptive morphological keys. This argasid tick behaves as a nidicolous species commonly parasitizing bats. We suggest that future studies be conducted on ticks parasitizing wild animals for detection of real fauna of Iranian ticks.