Bionomics and ecological characteristics of hard ticks of Ixodidae in Fars province, southwestern Iran.

Abstract

Hard ticks are essential biological vectors of pathogens with impacts on humans and animals. This study tried to identify the dominant species of hard ticks, assess their biodiversity, and compare the infestation rates in mountainous to semi-mountainous regions in Fars province, southwestern Iran, during 2021-2022. In total, 4104 domestic animals, such as sheep, goats, cows, camels, and dogs, were examined; 3169 ticks belonging to three genera, Hyalomma, Rhipicephalus, and Dermacentor, were collected. Hyalomma anatolicum was the most dominant species (34.39%), and Dermacentor marginatus was the least frequently found species. Biodiversity analysis by Simpson, Shannon-Wiener, Evenness, and Margalef indices. Generally, species richness, Evenness, and Shanon - Wiener indices were higher in mountainous than semi mountainous area and also results showed a higher diversity and richness in sheep from mountainous regions, especially in Firouzabad. Dogs and camels in Larestan had the lowest diversity and richness. Also, cattle in Marvdasht presented the highest species uniformity. The results reveal that biodiversity and the infestation rate are higher in sheep, thereby increasing the risk of tick-borne diseases. Thus, closer monitoring of livestock, education of farmers, and effective management of ticks are required to reduce the impact of tick infestations and associated diseases within this region.