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Prevalence and Identification of Livestock Tick by Sex Ratio and Host in Tehran Province
1Research Center for Health Sciences, Institute of Health, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz, Iran.
Background:
Ticks are major ectoparasites affecting livestock health and productivity. Their sex ratio and host specificity influence pathogen transmission.
Objective:
To identify tick species and determine sex ratios across different host animals in Tehran Province, Iran.
Methods:
Ticks are one of the main risk factors in transmitting pathogens to livestock and humans. From a total of 1623 animals, 806 ticks were collected, of which 685 were hard ticks and 121 were soft ticks. Ticks were sexed and identified using morphological keys.
Results:
Females comprised 57.99% and males 42.01% of ticks. Sheep had the highest infestation rate (60.04%), cattle the lowest (0.62%). Rhipicephalus sanguineus sensu lato was the most prevalent species (39.96%).
Conclusion:
High sheep infestation and dominance of R. sanguineus highlight the need for targeted tick control to reduce disease risks and economic loss in livestock.
