Ticks (Acari: Ixodidae) Parasitizing Indigenous Livestock in Northern and Eastern Saudi Arabia PDF

Keywords

tick species, livestock, Saudi Arabia

Abstract

A survey was undertaken in north and eastern Saudi Arabia to determine the tick species parasitizing indigenous livestock. Hyalomma schulzei was the most numerous species but parasitizes only camels in the northern frontier region. Hyalomma dromedarii was the most widespread species parasitizing mainly camel throughout the region, except at the far north where it has been replaced by H. schulzei. Rhipicephalus turanicus was abundant on sheep and goats and the second most abundant species. The study area proved to be one of its main regions of distribution in the Arabian Peninsula. Hyalomma anatolicum excavatum was abundant on camels, sheep and goats and Hyalomma impeltatum on camels and sheep. Boophilus kohlsi is reported for the first time from Dammam whilst Hyalomma anatoticum anatolicum and Hyalomma marginatum rufipes were represented by a few specimens. Animals in the the arid pastoral regions carried far more ticks than those in the cultivated areas, and in all locations cattle were free of ticks. The medical and veterinary importance of collected ticks is discussed.