Survey on cattle ticks in Nur, north of Iran

Abstract

Objective: To survey the prevalence of cattle ticks in Nur County and prepare a list of tick fauna in this district. Methods: This investigation was carried out on 150 head of cattle ticks of rural areas of Nur city which is located in Mazandaran province during spring and summer seasons of 2011. The collected ticks were identified using light microscope and available systematic keys. Results: A total number of 1563 ticks were isolated from examined cattle and their genus and numbers including: Ixodes ricinus 51% (111 male and 691 female) and Boophilus annulatus 49% (83 male and 678 female), respectively. Conclusions: Results of the current investigation indicate the presence of two species of acarine ectoparasites which have potential health risk Ixodes ricinus and Boophilus annulatus. More studies are required to increase our data concerning ticks and other ectopreasites of ruminants in other areas of Mazandaran province and should be noted to their ability in transmission of infectious agents.

Keywords

• Acarine ecotoparasites
• Tick
• Livestock
• Cattle
• Public health risk
• Iran