Ticks (Acari: Ixodidae) Infesting Local Domestic Animals in Western and Southern Saudi Arabia PDF

Keywords

livestock, Saudi Arabia, ticks

Abstract

A survey of local livestock in western and southern Saudi Arabia yielded seven indigenous and six introduced tick species and subspecies. The introduced Boophilus annulatus, Hyalomma marginatum rufipes, Amblyomma gemma, Amblyomma variegatum, Hyalomma truncatum and Rhipicephalus evertsi evertsi are well established especially in Jazan and Najran Provinces and their threat to human and domestic animals' health is highlighted. Hyalomma dromedarii is the most abundant and widespread species in the area. Jazan and Najran Provinces proved to be its main regions of distribution in the Kingdom. This species coexists on the camel with Hyalomma impeltatum throughout the study area. The Sarawat Mountain range, especially in Makkah Province, is the home of two relict parasites Hyalomma arabica and Boophilus kohlsi; both chiefly infest the goat, but their postulated host is the Nubian Ibex, Capra ibex nubiana (Cuvier). Rhipicephalus turanicus occurs in Al-Madina, Makkah and Asir Provinces which represent a western and southern extension of its northern and eastern range in the Arabian Peninsula. Jazan Province is the main area of distribution of Hyalomma anatolicum anatolicum in the Kingdom, with cattle and sheep as the main hosts for adult ticks. Hyalomma anatolicum excavatum is mainly distributed on sheep and camels in eastern, central and northern Saudi Arabia.