Ticks are hematophagous arthropods belonging to the class Arachnida. They are the major vectors of pathogens in animals and humans. Injuries and diseases related to ectoparasites are more prevalent and severe than what is commonly perceived. Ticks cause widespread distress and morbidity and they act as vectors of diseases, and affect the economic conditions of camel-rearing. This survey was carried out in eleven towns and cities in the three provinces of Northeast Iran (Khorasan Razavi, Northern Khorasan, and Southern Khorasan) from May 2012 to January 2013 to identify the distribution of different tick species infesting camels and to evaluate the influence of sex and age of camels on the infestation rate of ticks. A total of 200 camels were examined and 480 ticks were collected (347 males and 133 females). Tick infestation was observed in 171 (85.5%) of camels. Hyalomma dromedarii was found to be the predominant tick species (90.7%). Other tick species were found in low numbers and were as follows: Hyalomma anatolicum (6%), and H. marginatum (2.9%), H. asiaticum (0.4%). Significant differences were observed in tick burden between females and males (p<0.01). Comparison of older and younger animals showed no significant difference in the number of ticks (p>0.05).

Keywords