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. 2012 Jun;2(6):489–492. doi: 10.1016/S2221-1691(12)60082-3

First survey of hard ticks (Acari: Ixodidae) on cattle, sheep and goats in Boeen Zahra and Takistan counties, Iran

Masoomeh Shemshad 1, Khadijeh Shemshad 2, Mohammad Mehdi Sedaghat 3, Majid Shokri 4, Alireza Barmaki 5, Mojgan Baniardalani 3, Javad Rafinejad 3,6,*
PMCID: PMC3609323  PMID: 23569956

Abstract

Objective

To carry out the distribution survey of hard ticks of livestock in Boeen Zahra and Takistan counties of Qazvin province from April 2010 to September 2010.

Methods

Nearly about 2 638 sheep, 461 goats and 318 cattle of 38 herds in different geographical areas were searched for tick infestation.

Results

The species compositions collected from the livestock of Boeen Zahra and Takistan were Haemaphysalis concinna (0.63%), Haemaphysalis sulcata (12.66%), Hyalomma anatolicum (3.80%), Hyalomma asiaticum (3.16%), Hyalomma detritum (5.70%), Hyalomma dromedarii (28.48%), Hyalomma marginatum (13.29%), Hyalomma schulzei (1.89%), Rhipicephalus bursa (3.16%) and Rhipicephalus sanguineus (3.16%), and for Takistan's livestock were Hyalomma dromedarii (9.86%), Hyalomma marginatum (13.29%), Hyalomma schulzei (1.89%) and Rhipicephalus sanguineus (3.16%), respectively. Hard ticks compositions in different topographic areas were different. Hyalomma species had the most prevalence in the areas.

Conclusions

The veterinary and public health investigation of the above species should be taken.

Keywords: Hard ticks, Ixodidae, Cattle, Sheep, Goats, Boeen Zahra, Takistan, Iran

1. Introduction

Phylum Arthropoda contains over 80% of known animal species and exists almost every habitat. As a result of their activity, arthropod ectoparasites may have wide range of direct and indirect effects on their hosts[1]. The family Ixodidae, or hard ticks (Arachnida: Acari: Parasitiformes) contains 694 species including two main morphological and phylogenetic groups: the Prostriata and the Metastriata[2]. Ixodid ticks are obligatory blood-sucking ectoparasites of various mammals, birds, reptiles, and amphibians[3] and vectors of different agents of diseases in both man and livestock[4],[5]. There are several reports on host preference, infectivity, geographical distribution, insecticide resistance, molecular detection of different organisms, biodiversity, seasonal activity, classification, fauna, ecology and biology of hard and soft ticks which have been investigated by various researchers in the country[6]–[16].

The main aim of this study was to identify species compositions of livestock in different areas of Boeen Zahra and Takistan counties of Qazvin.

2. Materials and methods

2.1. Study area

Qazvin is one of the 31 provinces that is located in the north-west of the central plateau of Iran. Its center is the city of Qazvin. It has five counties including Qazvin, Abyek, Boeen-Zahra, Alborz and Takistan (Figure 1). Animal husbandry is the most dominant occupation in this province. According to natural geography, this province is divided into two mountainous and plain areas[17].

Figure 1. Study area in Qazvin province, Iran.

Figure 1.

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2.2. Tick collection

Hard tick survey was carried out in April 2010 to September 2010 in two topographic areas in Boeen Zahra and Takistan counties, where the most abundance of domestic ruminants (cattle, sheep, and goats) existed. In each locality, herds were regularly inspected in at least two villages during each visit. About 2 638 sheep, 461 goats and 318 cattle of 38 herds in different topographic areas were searched for tick infestation. These locations were selected according to availability of animals in abundance and difference in climate, too. Information on all specimens including location, host, and number of ticks collected from each animal and date of collection was recorded. Environmental data, including relative humidity and temperature, were also recorded. Tick sampling was performed overall body of each animal at different intervals, and collected ticks were kept alive until transferring them to the laboratory. The collected ticks were counted, and speciation was performed with key identification of Walker et al in 2003 and Hoogstraal in 1963. Identification was done based on taxonomic and structural differences of the species, different instars and sexes. Levels of infestation, and the stage of animals (adult/young) and recent use of acaricide(s) were recorded.

3. Results

A descriptive study, in hot and humid seasons, spring and summer, was conducted. During the study among twenty two villages a total of 158 ixodid ticks were collected and identified from 318 cattle, 461 goats, and 2 638 sheep in 38 herds, representing 3 genera and 10 species as described in Table 1. The occurrence of ticks in Boeen-Zahra on cattle and sheep was 13.92% and 55.70%, respectively and tick infestation in Takistan on sheep was 30.37%. The tick species identified in Takistan counties based on their abundance were: Hyalomma marginatum (H. marginatum) Koch 1844 (13.29%), Hyalomma dromedarii (H. dromedarii) Koch, 1844 (8.86%), Rhipicephalus sanguineus (R. sanguineus) (Latreille, 1806) (3.16%), Hyalomma schulzei (H. schulzei) Olenev, 1931 (1.89%) and in Boeen Zahra were: H. dromedarii (28.48%), Haemaphysalis sulcata (H. sulcata) (12.66%), R. sanguineus (6.96%), Hyalomma detritum (H. detritum) (5.70%), Hyalomma marginatum (H. marginatum) (5.06%), Hyalomma anatolicum (H. anatolicum) (3.80%), Hyalomma asiaticum (H. asiaticum) (3.16%), H. schulzei (3.16%), Rhipicephalus bursa (R. bursa) (3.16%) and Haemaphysalis concinna (H. concinna) (0.63%). Hyalomma species had the highest diversity among hard ticks and different species of Hyalomma were active in the regions. The largest numbers of adult ixodid ticks were generally present from June to August. Only 3.8% of ixodid ticks including H. dromedarii in Takistan were found in plain areas and all the specimens collected from Boeen Zahra were from mountainous areas. Figures 2 and 3 showed the prevalence of hard ticks collected from studied areas according to their host and sex. Base on the results it was determined that Hyalomma species were the most abundant in each county. The results of the study showed that 51.90% of the collected ticks including H. sulcata, H. anatolicum, H. asiaticum, H. detritum, H. marginatum, H. schulzei, R. bursa, H. marginatum and H. schulzei were considered as two-host ticks, 48.10% of the ticks including H. concinna, R. sanguineus and H. dromedarii were three-host-ticks. This matter could be related to tick eradication programs which are in progress in the province.

Table 1. Distribution of hard ticks in the studied areas in Boeen Zahra and Takistan counties, Qazvin province, Iran [n (%)].

Number of host Boeen Zahra tick species Takistan tick species Total tick species
One-host tick 0 0 0
Two-host tick H. sulcata 20 (12.66) H. marginatum 21 (13.29) 82 (51.9)
H. anatolicum 6 (3.8) H. schulzei 3 (1.89)
H. asiaticum 5 (3.16)
H. detritum 9 (5.7)
H. marginatum 8 (5.06)
H. schulzei 5 (3.16)
R. bursa 5 (3.16)
Three-host tick H. concinna 1 (0.63) R. sanguineus 5 (3.16) 76 (48.1)
R. sanguineus 11 (6.96) H. dromedarii 14 (8.86)
H. dromedarii 45 (28.48)
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Figure 2. Distribution of hard tick in different topographic zones of the studies areas.

Figure 2.

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Figure 3. Distribution of different sexes of hard tick in different topographic zones of the studies areas.

Figure 3.

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4. Discussion

During the survey, a total of 158 hard ticks including ten species in three genera were collected from different topographical regions of the study areas that infest different domestic animals including cattle, sheep, and goats. Hyalomma sp. except H. dromedarii and Rhipicephalus sp. occurred in mountainous areas whereas H. dromedarii was found in both plain and mountainous areas. The Hyalomma sp. was the most common with high diversity in two counties. Apart from Rhipicephalus, Haemaphysalis were found to infest sheep. According to report of Shayan and Rafinejad, these species are main tick genera that infest both domestic and wild mammals including rodents in Iran[18]. The same result was obtained with the current tick species in west of Iran[19],[20]. Our results are the same with report of Rahbari and Nabian and results of Nabian et al that found Rhipicephalus, Haemaphysalis ticks were as mountainous genera[21],[22]. Regarding ticks infesting of domestic animals, Hyalomma sp. was found to be the most common in this study. As Rhipicephalus spp. are the vectors for different species of Babesia spp. of bovine babesiosis, that can be transmitted to human[23],[24]. Regarding to infestation rates of H. anatolicum, existence of bovine tropical theileriosis is not impossible[25]. R. sanguineus was the most important tick found in both mountainous and plain areas and infested a wide range of domestic ruminants. This species could infest a wide range of domestic ruminants and is widespread in both mountainous and plain areas[26]. The distribution and abundance of R. sanguineus and R. bursa were important keys in epidemiology of dangerous diseases such as babesiosis in Iran[24]. H. marginatum frequency was considerable and it is important as a parasite of sheep. Distribution of H. anatolicum is from Golestan to Guilan provinces and this species is a vector of tropical theileriosis in Iran[25]. It is able to transmit a wide variety of pathogens including Theileria lestoquardi, Theileria equi, Babesia cabali, Trypanosoma theileri and Crimean-Congo hemorrhagic fever virus[25]. In the studied areas this species was found in low frequency. H. dromedarii was the more prevalent species observed on sheep goats and cows. High prevalence and species diversity of Hyalomma in the study area show that control measures should be done permanently. Strict management and acaricide treatments decreased the densities of all stages of ticks. So it was necessary to examine many livestock for the survey. The frequency of some tick species in mountainous areas showed significant differences. Results of the study showed that the situation of the studied areas was favorable for the successive establishment of diverse ticks population so, continuous parasitological researches and control programs are necessary for decreasing the spread of tick infestation. As tick dispersal may occur all the time because of tick hosts movement and climate change[26]–[32]. Because of two and three host ticks' activity and their role in transmitting several diseases both in humans and animals, the problem of the domestic ruminants' infestation must be very serious. This may show that technical care should be done to studied areas.

Acknowledgments

Authors wish to express their appreciation to staffs of the Takistan and Boeen Zahra Veterinary Organization for providing information about sheep flocks and logistic support. The authors wish to express their sincere thanks to Mr. Reza-zadeh for his helpful hand in the field. Authors also obliged to rural people and shepherds of the study areas for their cooperation and permission to collect ticks during the entire study period. The Research Council of Tehran University of Medical Sciences supported this survey with project number of 89-04-27-11690.

Footnotes

Foundation Project: This work was financially supported by Research Council of Tehran University of Medical Sciences (grant No. 89-04-27-11690).

Conflict of interest statement: We declare that we have no conflict of interest.

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