Author/Authors :
Telmadarraiy ، Zakkyeh Department of Medical Entomology and Vector Control - School of Public Health - Tehran University of Medical Sciences , Kooshki ، Habibollah Department of Medical Entomology and Vector Control - School of Public Health - Tehran University of Medical Sciences , Edalat ، Hamideh Department of Medical Entomology and Vector Control - School of Public Health - Tehran University of Medical Sciences , Vatandoost ، Hassan Department of Medical Entomology and Vector Control - School of Public Health - Tehran University of Medical Sciences , Bakhshi ، Hassan Department of Medical Entomology and Vector Control - School of Public Health - Tehran University of Medical Sciences , Faghihi ، Faezeh Cellular and Molecular Research Center - Iran University of Medical Sciences , Hosseini-Chegeni ، Asadollah Department of Plant Protection - Faculty of Agriculture - Lorestan University , Oshaghi ، Mohammad Ali Department of Medical Entomology and Vector Control - School of Public Health - Tehran University of Medical Sciences
Abstract :
Background: Ticks are blood-sucking ectoparasites of many vertebrates and act as vectors of a wide range of vector borne diseases. Alongside pathogens transmission, ticks also cause economic losses in animal industry such as produc tion loss, physical damage, anemia, and poisoning. This study aimed to determine the fauna, geographical distribution and seasonal activity of ticks collected from animals in Lorestan Province, west of Iran. Methods: Ticks were collected from domestic animals including cattle, sheep, goats, chickens, turkeys, pigeons, as well as wild animals such as jackals in 2017–2018. Then, they were identified based on morphological characteristics using valid identification keys. Results: Out of a total of 706 ticks, 433 (61.33%), 104 (14.73%), 33 (4.67%) and 136 (19.26%) ticks were collected in spring, summer, autumn and winter, respectively. In terms of hard ticks, 4 genera and 6 species were identified: Hy alomma asiaticum (22.80%), Hyalomma anatolicum (3.68%), Hyalomma marginatum (2.40%), Rhipicephalus san guineus (0.84%), Dermacentor marginatus (1.13%), and Haemaphysalis sulcata (0.64%). Additionally, two genera and four species fell into soft ticks: Argas persicus (60.48%), Argas reflexus (6.65%), Ornithodoros canstrini (0.70%) and Ornithodoros erraticus (0.42%). There was significant variation in the seasonal activity and abundance of ticks in dif ferent seasons but in the tick abundancy among different regions. Conclusions: The present study provides a perspective of the distribution status of ticks in Lorestan Province, their sea sonal activity and the likelihood of emergence of related diseases.
Keywords :
Ectoparasites , Argasidae , Ixodidae , Lorestan , Tick Fauna
