Species diversity of ticks (Acari: Ixodidae) in Tarhuna, Libya

Abstract

Background: Ticks are important medically. Twenty-five species of ticks have been recorded in Libya. No systematic studies have been conducted in Tarhuna region regarding tick species that infesting livestock. Aim: This study aimed to identify the species of ticks that infesting livestock in Tarhuna. Methods: The study was carried out from August 2015 to May 2016 in Tarhuna, which is located at north-western of Libya. A total of 634 ticks (349 males, 280 females, 5 nymphs) were collected from 145 animals (camels, sheep and goats), and the examined animals were randomly selected. Samples were collected seasonally from different locations. Results: Four species were recorded: Hyalomma dromedarii (83.12%), Rhipicephalus bursa (6.94%), H. excavatum (6.63%) and R. camicasi (3.31%). The mean prevalence of all species was 4.37 ticks\\host. All of the tick species were collected from sheep and goats except H. dromedarii which was collected from camels only. With respect to the season of the collection, the number of species varied among seasons, the highest prevalence was in summer (6.53 ticks\\host) and the lowest was in spring (2.18 ticks\\host). The highest average number of tick species was observed in H. dromedarii (10.13 ticks/host), followed by 1.21 ticks/host in R. camicasi, 1.07 ticks/host in H. excavatum and the lowest in R. bursa (1.02 tick/host). Conclusions: These findings reveal that abundance of ticks varied among species and seasons.