Prevalence and Identification of Livestock Tick by Sex Ratio and Host in Tehran Province.

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.