Study of species diversity of animal ticks in Mashhad Mighan - Arak

From the point of the pathogen agents' transmission, Ticks are the most important ectoparasites which cause heavy economic losses to livestock worldwide. The purpose of this study is evaluating the frequency and diversity of ticks in all age groups of both sexes in the natural habitat of domestic ruminants contains cattle, sheep and goats in Mashhad Mighan in the Markazi province. Samplings were carried out monthly (A total of 1081 ruminants from 20 flocks) from April 2015 to March 2016. Ticks were collected from all parts of the body and as well were collected from stables (animal shelters, floors and other places), a total number of 599 ticks from two families (Argasidae and Ixodidae) were collected. Ticks were identified using valid identification keys. A total numbers of 599 ticks from two families (Argasidae and Ixodidae) were collected. Ticks from the Argasidae family totaled 186 and belonged to 2 genera: Argas and Ornithodorus. The proportions of different species were as follows: Argas persicus (28.21%), A. reflexes (1%) and Ornithodorus lahorensis(1.84%). Ixodidae family collected in the area totaled 413 and belonged to 3 genera and Included 5 species: Rhipicephalus sanguines (27.71%), Rh. turanicus (24.21%), Hyalomma anatolicom(9.18%), Hy. Asiaticum(8.35%), Haemaphysalis sulcata with (0.5%), the results show that hard tick and soft tick species diversity are high in the area.