Quantitative study on morphologic characters in five population of hard tick Hyalomma anatolicum (Acari: Ixodidae) in Iran

Document Type : Research Paper

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Abstract

The species hard tick, Hyalomma anatolicum is a vector of the important pathogen agents of both animals and humans. This species is the most abundant Hyalomma tick in its geographical zone‎. H. anatolicum is a vector of Thileriosis and Crimean Congo Hemorrhagic Fever (CCHF), an animal protozoan and human viral diseases, respectively, and ‎widely distributed in Iran. Some taxonomic characters on this species was introduced ‎but not measured.‎ The purpose of the present investigation was to identify valuable discriminating characters for ‎male specimens of H. anatolicum with the other closely related species by morphometric‎ methods. Firstly, the collected tick specimens‎ were identified by several Hyalomma identification keys as H. anatolicum. Totally, nine and three quantitative and qualitative parameters, respectively, were measured. The data measurements were analyzed using SPSS for windows and finally the specimens were drawn by the aid of a drawing tube. The one way ANOVA test revealed the presence of significant differences among many quantitative parameters, except lateral groove/scutum length ratio, also all studied regions. The observation of the qualitative parameters showed presence and absence of these characters in all the specimens studied. The amplitude and quantity of morphologic parameters of Hyalomma anatolicum suggested to be considered for correct identification and key preparation of this species.

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