Diagnosis and Distribution of Hard Ticks in Cows in Mosul City-Iraq

The present study included the diagnosis of three species of hard ticks belong to the family Ixodidae parasitizing 72 cows out of a total of 145 cows examined, with a total distribution ratio of 49.6% in the eastern and western regions of Mosul city. Tick species were diagnosed according to morphological and standard characteristics such as palps, capitulum, coxa, scutum, anus, and spiracles. Ticks of H. anatolicum anatolicum recorded the highest prevalence and distribution ratio in cows of 48.6%, followed by both B. annulatus and R. turanicus with 34.7%, 16.7% respectively. As for specifying the patterns of ticks’ distribution on cows, it was observed that a pattern of single infestation recorded highest distribution ratio of 51%, followed by a double-infestation of 19.4%, while a mixed infestation pattern recorded lowest ratio of 9.7%. With regard to the distribution of tick species on the body areas per tick species, the results showed the prevalence and distribution of H. anatolicum anatolicum tick species on the back was 44.1%, B. anaulatus recorded highest prevalence ratio of 29% in the ear, while R. truanicus recorded highest prevalence in the ear, back, and Axillary of 37.1%, 28.5%, and 20% respectively. The results concerning the distribution of tick species in each area of body showed the prevalence of H. anatolicum anatolicum in the ear area by 51.1%, both H. anatolicum and anatolicum recorded highest prevalence ratio in the tail by 51.6% and 43.6% respectively, and highest prevalence of H. anatolicum and anatolicum species was found in the back by 72%, while the highest prevalence of B.annaulatus Journal of University of Shanghai for Science and Technology ISSN: 1007-6735 Volume 23, Issue 6, June 2021 Page -358 was found in the udder and Axillary of 57.9% and 56.4% respectively. Nevertheless, the results illustrated that no significant difference had been found regarding the distribution and prevalence of tick species in the eastern and western regions of the city of Mosul.