Ticks (Argasidae and Ixodidae) in Tehran Province, Central Iran: Distribution and Seasonal Activity

Ticks are obligatory ectoparasites of vertebrates and can transmit pathogens, including: arboviruses, bacteria, and parasites to humans and animals worldwide. This study aimed to identify the tick species found on semi-domestic hosts in Tehran Province. This cross-sectional study, conducted from 2020 to 2021, aimed. Of 1165 captured hosts, 16.3% (n = 190) were infested with ticks. A total of 574 ticks were collected. Hard ticks (Acari: Ixodidae) comprised 86% (n = 493) and included 11 species, while soft ticks (Acari: Argasidae) made up 14% (n = 81) and included 3 species. The brown dog tick, Rhipicephalus sanguineus sensu lato, and North American tick with cattle tick, R. annulatus (formerly belonged to the genus Boophilus as B. annulatus), represented the highest and lowest frequencies of 39.3% and 0.3%, respectively. Notably, Haemaphysalis inermis was identified for the first time in Shemiranat County. The highest tick infestation intensity was observed in the Varamin district.