Studies on sheep tick fauna and their seasonal population variations in Azarbayejan-e-qarbi province

An investigation was conducted in order to determine the tick species of sheep body surface and their seasonal population variations in Azarbayejan-e-qarbi province from March 006 to April 007. Sampling was done from overally 800 sheep of both sexes, from cities and their suburbs of the province. Collected data were analyzed using SPSS computer software. The results revealed that 4 (.44%) sheep was infested by hard ticks. The highest percentage of the sheep tick infestation was observed in Miandoab area during June 006, while lowest percentage was in shahindegh area during February 006. There was a significant difference (p<0.005) in the tick population of sheep during the seasons and months of the year. Out of 00 ticks were collected on sheep and were identified as: Hyalomma anatolicum anatolium (6.7%), Rhipicephalus bursa (4.8%), Dermacentor marginatus (.75%), H. a. excavatum (8.4%), Boophilus annulatus (.%), Haemaphysalis punctata (.8%), Hae. sulkata (%) and Rhipicephalus sanguinus (0.8%). The difference of tick site preference was significantly noticeable. Distribution of ticks over different parts of sheep body surface according to their frequency were as follow respectively: under the tail (fat) (46%), groin (%), head and meck (5%), on the breasts (%).