Epizootiological Studies on Haemaphysalis Ticks in Ankara Province, Turkey

Authors: HATİCE ÇİÇEK

Abstract: This study was carried out in Ankara province, Turkey, between September 1996 and August 1998. During the study 1208 sheep, 1001 goats and 1059 cattle were examined for Haemaphysalis ticks. These examinations revealed that 380 (37.96%) goats, 346 (28.64%) sheep and 203 (19.16%) cattle had Haemaphysalis infestation. In total, 5254 Haemaphysalis ticks were collected from these animals. They were identified as H. parva, H. sulcata, H. punctata and Haemaphysalis nymphs. Of the 5254 Haemaphysalis ticks 89.70% were H. parva adults, 0.28% H. parva nymphs, 6.64% H. sulcata adults, 2.05% H. punctata adults and 0.13% H. punctata nymphs, while 0.89% were unidentified Haemaphysalis nymphs and 0.28% unidentified Haemaphysalis adults. The infestation rate of adult H. parva, H. sulcata and H. punctata reached the highest level on sheep, goats and cattle twice a year. These periods were determined as October and March for H. parva and H. punctata, and November and March for H. sulcata. Nymphs of H. parva were found on sheep and goats in April and August. Nymphs of H. punctata occurred on sheep and goats only in August. Nymphs of H. sulcata were not found on the animals. We dissected 1702 Haemaphysalis sp. and their salivary glands were stained with Methyl green/Pyronin. The salivary glands were examined under microscope, but no theilerial sporoblasts were found.

Keywords: Ankara, epizootiology, sheep, goat, cattle, tick, haemaphysalis species

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