STUDIES ON TICK SPECIES PARASITIZING SOME DOMESTICATED ANIMALS AND A STRATEGY FOR THEIR CONTROL IN EL-MINIA GOVERNORATE

Abstract

A study was conducted for one year (July, 2001-June, 2002) to throw some light on the ixodid tick species of some domestic animals in El-Minia Governorate, aiming to the tick control strategy. Ixodid ticks were collected from cows, buffaloes, camels and dogs, of which cows were the heavily infested ones. Four species of ixodid ticks belonging to three genera were identified: Boophilus annulatus, Hyalomma excavatum, H. dromedarii and Rhipecephalus sanguineus. Boophilus annulatus was the most • common and abundant one. It was essentially collected from cows, which

were also the preferable host for Hyalomma excavatum. H. dromedarii exclusively parasitized camels. Rhipecephalus sanguineus mainly fed on dogs. Most of the tick species showed a marked preference for some particular sites on their hosts' body. This predilection could vary according to the host species. Boophilus annulatus was frequently detected throughout the study period, showing moderate and close levels of seasonal activity, except an extremely high one that was markedly observed towards the end of spring. Hyalomma excavatum was infrequently detected throughout the study period, but it appeared mainly during spring and autumn. H. dromedarii and Rhipecephalus sanguineus were mostly collected during spring and summer. Karyotype procedures were preformed on female gonads of engorged adult ticks in order to produce sufficient mitotic metaphases. Where they must be carried out on actively dividing cells. Squash preparation for karyotype examinations was carried out by the method described by Macgregor and Varley (1983). •