The Distribution, Host Range and Seasonal Abundance of the Arabian Goat and Sheep Tick, Boophilus kohlsi (Acari: Ixodidae) in Saudi Arabia PDF

Keywords

goat and sheep tick, Boophilus kohlsi, Saudi Arabia

Abstract

The host range, seasonal abundance and distribution of the Arabian goat and sheep tick, Boophilus kohlsi were investigated in several localities throughout the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. The tick was found in two regions in the Kingdom along the central and southern parts of the Arabian Gulf Coast of the Eastern Province and in the Al-Sarawat Mountains Range in Makkah Province. In both regions, B. kohlsi was found parasitizing goats only, on which it coexists with Rhipicephalus turanicus and sometimes with both R. turanicus and Hyalomma impeltatum. In Makkah Province, the main partner of B. kohlsi on its goat hosts was Hyalomma arabica. The infestation of goats by B. kohlsi in both regions was seasonal and occurred only during the most humid months of the year, October to March, with a peak in January and February. The tick life cycle in both regions seemed to be influenced by variations in the relative humidity and can complete one or possibly two integrating generations per annum or three generations every two years.