Determination of Fauna of Hard Ticks on Sheep in Khuzestan Province, Iran

Khuzestan Province is one of the most important provinces of Iran in the field of livestock breeding. On the other hand, the infection of sheep with ticks that are important carriers of human and animal pathogens is significant. Ticks can act as carriers of parasites, bacteria, viruses, and rickettsia. The aim of this study was to determine the variety of ticks on sheep in this province.

The ticks were collected from sheep body in 9 cities of Khuzestan Province. They were then transferred to the laboratory in 70% ethanol. Subsequently, sex, genus, and species were identified under a stereomicroscope with diagnostic keys.

A total of 2,722 collected ticks and species of ixodid ticks from 4 genera were identified (1552 male and 1170 female ticks). Hyalomma anatolicum was found as the most abundant tick (52%), whereas Rhipicephalus sanguineus (30%) and Hyalomma excavatum (9%) were also prevalent in this south-west region of Iran. Other observed ticks were Hyalomma asiaticum (8%) and Hakea sulcata (1%).

According to the prevalence of Hyalomma and Rhipicephalus ticks, further studies on the control of ticks based on their genetic differences are recommended.