New Record and Description of Dermacentor marginatus (Acari: Ixodidae) from Ovis orientalis arkal (Mammalia: Bovidae) in Northeastern Iran

Mouflon (Ovis orientalis, Linnaeus, 1758) is a mammal with four subspecies in Iran. Ovis orientalis arkal is one of the subspecies that is distributed in east and northeast of Iran. This subspecies, like other Iranian mammals’ species, is vulnerable in International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN). If necessary, actions are not considered for the protection of this species, it faces extinction in Iran. The study and identification of mammals’ ticks are vital since ticks are one of the most important factors that can transmit many dangerous diseases to animals. They transmit viral, unicellular and rickettsia factors which may cause encephalitis, tularaemia, paralysis, and poisoning in animals and human as well. In the present study, hard ticks of Ovis orientalis arkal in Tandooreh and Hezar Masjed Mountains were surveyed during the period 2014-2015. In the present study, 175 ticks have been separated from eight heads of Ovis orientalis arkals’ carcasses. After maintaining ticks in vials consisting glycerine 5% and alcohol 75%, they were transferred to the laboratory and identification was done. Based on the results, hard ticks were recorded. They include Dermacentor, Rhipicephalus, Hyalomma, Haemaphysalis, and Dermacentor marginatus (Sulzer, 1776) which have been reported for the first time in this study.