Determination of tick species (acari: Ixodida) in Antalya city, their seasonal and regional distribution

Ticks are an important group of ectoparasites of cold and hot-blooded vertebrates. Most species of ticks are known vectors of diseases including Lyme disease, Q fever and Crimean?Congo Hemorrhagic Fever. In this thesis, a 3-yr study was conducted in Antalya Metropolitan Municipality area to determine tick species composition, seasonal abundance, and spatial distribution. Sampling was conducted from May 2010 through May 2013. Free stages of ticks were collected by using the flagging method; parasitic stages were picked up on domestic and wild animals and from the environment. Collected ticks stored in ethanol 70% and then were examined for morphological features under a stereomicroscope to comfirm their identity by morphological keys. A total of 1393 ticks were collected, of which 1378 were adult ticks and 15 represented immature stages (1 larvae and 14 nymphs). A total of eight tick species were identified: Rhipicephalus turanicus, Rhipicephalus sanguineus, Hyalomma aegypticum, Argas persicus, Dermacentor niveus, Hyalomma marginatum, Boophilus annulatus, and Haemaphysalis parva. Rhipicephalus turanicus and R. sanguineus were most abundant tick species infesting dogs in city. The hosts of H. aegyptium are primarily tortoises in Antalya. The results of this research will contribute to establishing appropriate measures to control tick infestations on animal and humans and their environment in city of Antalya.