Distribution of Tick Species Collected from Cattle, Sheep, and Goats in Iğdır Province, in the Eastern Anatolia Region of Turkey

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Abstract
Ticks are important vectors that pose a risk to both animal and human health because they parasitize by sucking blood and transmitting many pathogenic disease agents. Turkey harbors a large number of tick species due to its location, geographical structure, climate, habitat richness, and animal diversity. This study was designed to investigate the frequency and seasonal distribution of tick species found in sheep, cattle, and goats in the center and districts of Iğdır. Bovine and ovine animals were examined for tick infestation between January and December 2024 in the center and districts of Iğdır, and the shelters where they lived were also examined. A total of 1,050 tick samples obtained from 1,483 animals were collected and transferred to tubes containing 70% ethyl alcohol. Subsequently, these samples were sent to the Parasitology Research Laboratory of the Faculty of Medicine at Van Yüzüncü Yıl University, where the species were identified based on their morphological characteristics using a stereo microscope, in accordance with the relevant literature. Of the ticks examined, 57.52% were female and 42.48% were male. The following tick species were detected: Rhipicephalus turanicus (33%), Rhipicephalus bursa (21.6%), Hyalomma a. anatolicum (17.2%), Hyalomma a. excavatum (20.2%), Hyalomma scupense (3.6%), Ixodes ricinus (0.7%), Hyalomma sulcata (1.5%), Hyalomma punctata (0.4%), and Dermacentor niveus (1.8%). Among these, ticks belonging to the Rhipicephalus genus (54.6%) were the most common. When the tick species detected in the study were evaluated, Rhipicephalus species were found to be most prevalent between May and July. Additionally, the detection of Hyalomma and Rhipicephalus tick species, which are known vectors of the Crimean-Congo Hemorrhagic Fever virus that poses a risk to human health, is important. We believe that this data will serve as a valuable reference for future studies to be conducted in this province.
Funding Information
  • YOK

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