| Prevalence and diversity of ticks infesting dromedary camels (Camelus dromedarius) in the suburb of Varamin, Iran |
| Paper ID : 1080-IPCA5 (R5) |
| Authors |
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Fatemeh Hosseinnejad *1, Shahrzad Hassani1, Peyman Dehghan Rahimabadi2 1Student of Veterinary Medicine, Ka.C., Islamic Azad University, Karaj, Iran 2Department of Clinical Sciences, Ka.C., Islamic Azad University, Karaj, Iran |
| Abstract |
| Ticks are among the most important ectoparasites affecting camels. Hyalomma spp. and Rhipicephalus spp. have been identified as the most common ticks infesting camels leading to blood loss, skin damage, and the transmission of protozoan pathogens including Anaplasma, Babesia, and Theileria. This study aimed to determine the diversity and prevalence of ticks in dromedary camels in the suburb of Varamin. During the summer of 2024, 250 dromedary camels (63 males and 187 females) aged 1 to 8 years from five herds in the suburbs of Varamin, Iran, were examined for the collection of ticks. Ticks were observed mainly (85%) around the tail and ears, followed by abdomen (10%), and eyelides (5%). A total of 183 camels (73.2%) were found to be infested. In total, 736 ticks were collected and identified as Hyalomma anatolicum (73.4%), Hyalomma asiaticum (8.13%), and Rhipicephalus bursa (18.47%). The highest infestation rate (83%) was observed in 4 to 6-year-old female camels, whereas the lowest infestation rate (5%) was recorded in camels younger than 1 year of age. Mixed infestations were observed in 45.5% of the examined camels with all three species, in 30.1% with H. anatolicum and R. bursa, and in 24.4% with H. anatolicum and H. asiaticum. Mono infestation with H. anatolicum was recorded in 15.5% of the camels. Given that all three tick species identified herein are proven vectors for several tick-borne pathogens, future studies on their potential role in the transmission of parasitic, viral, and bacterial agents are suggested. Cost-effective and sustainable tick control measures, including responsible acaricide application, are recommended. |
| Keywords |
| Hyalomma, Rhipicephalus, Dromedary camel, Ectoparasite |
| Status: Abstract Accepted |
