Study on ticks (Acari: Ixodidae) of one-humped camels (Camelus dromedarius) and their seasonal activities in northwest of Iran.

Ticks are significant ectoparasites that cause economic losses in animal husbandry both in Iran and worldwide. This study aimed to determine the frequency and species diversity of hard ticks in camels in the suburb of Marand, Northwest Iran, throughout the four seasons from January to December 2023. A total of 138 camels (59 males and 79 females) were randomly selected from 25 villages and examined for tick infestation using a systematic body search starting from the head and neck, progressing through the chest, axillary, and groin regions, and ending at the tail. Ticks were manually removed with forceps, preserved in 70 % ethanol, and identified morphologically under a stereomicroscope based on standard keys. Among these camels, 63 were younger than 3 years old, while 75 were older than 3 years. Out of all the camels examined, 54 (39.13 %) were infested with a total of 386 ixodid ticks, resulting in a tick index of 7.14 ticks per animal. There was a significant difference in tick prevalence between the various age groups, with the highest prevalence found in camels younger than 3 years. However, no significant differences in infestation rates were observed based on the sex of the animals. Among the 386 ticks examined, two genera were identified: Hyalomma spp. and Rhipicephalus spp. This included four species: Hyalomma dromedarii (58.80 %), Hyalomma anatolicum (21.76 %), H. marginatum (5.95 %), and Rhipicephalus sanguineus (13.47 %). Ixodid tick infestations occurred throughout the year, with the highest prevalence noted in the spring. The results indicated that both species diversity and ixodid tick infestations are prevalent in camels in the region, underscoring the need for further studies to investigate the potential tick vectors involved in the transmission of hemoparasites in these animals.