Identification of Hard tick’s diversity on Sheep in Sabzevar city, Iran

Some of ticks are major vectors of pathogens for animals and humans. This study was conducted to determine tick infestation rate of sheep and seasonal variations of tick population in Sabzevar city. This survey was carried out during April 2016 until March 2017. A total of 800 sheep were randomly selected and examined. A total number of 400 adult ticks were collected and then were preserved in 70% Ethanol alcohol with 5% glycerin and were identified using diagnostic keys. Based on the results obtained in this study, two Genera and four species including Hyalomma anatolicum (40%), Rhipicephalus turanicus (30%), Hyalomma excavatum (16.25%) and Rhipicephalus bursa (13.75%) were identified. The most prevalent tick was Hyalomma anatolicum. The prevalence of ticks on sheep was 22.5%. The highest amount of infestation was observed in spring (53%). In this study, the highest infestation rate was reported in the head and ear area with 49.5%. Ticks are important due to their role in transmission of diseases such as theileriosis, babesiosis, anaplasmosis and ehrlichiosis. So the result of this study can be useful for implementation of disease control.