One-Humped Camels (Camelus dromedaries) Hard Ticks Infestation in Qeshm Island, Iran

Abstract

The economic importance of tick infestation on camels are important as they are important meat and milk producer animals in the less vegetation area of Iran and their health and production are greatly affected by the high tick infestation. In this investigation, tick infestations on camels (Camelus dromedarius) were determined in Qeshm Island, Iran. A total number of 912 adult ticks (472 males and 440 females) were collected and identified. Hyalomma dromedarii was the predominant tick specie and accounted for 61.9% of the adult ticks. Other hard ticks were H. anatolicum excavatum (22 %), H. asiaticum asiaticum (14.2 %), H. marginatum (1.9 %), H. impeltatum (0.4 %) and Ripicephalus bursa (0.4 %). In conclusion, The provision of tick control programs in the Qeshm Island would seem a prerequisite for improving camel meat and milk production.