IDENTIFICATION OF BOVINE IXODIDAE SPECIES IN AHWAZ AREA, IRAN

Abstract

Overall 1906 adult ticks, as well as their nymphs and larvae were collected from the body surface of cattle in the animal husbandries located in north, north-east, south and south-west of Ahwaz area, Khoozestan, Iran, during 1991-1993. The identified adult ticks were Hyalomma anatolicum anatolicum (C.L.koch, 1844), Hyalomma anatolicum excavatum (C.L. koch, 1844), Boophilus annulatus (say, 1821) and Rhipicephalus sanguineus (Latreille, 1806), H.a. anatiolicum was the most prevalent species (83%). In contrast, the prevalence of Rhipicehalus sanguineus was low (1.2%). According to preliminary findings of the survey, H.a.anatolicum and H.a.excavatum may be found on the cattle body surface throughout the year, although their population may increase significantly during spring and summer. However, Boophilus annulatus was found only during autumn and winter when the weather temperature decreases and the humidity percentage increases and the rainfall occurs intermittently in Ahwaz area.