Identification and number of Ixodidea ticks parasitizing domestic animals in the territory of the Nakhchivan Autonomous Republic

The aim of the study was to examine the species composition of Ixodidae ticks in the Nakhchivan Autonomous Republic, the distribution extensiveness and intensity of individual genera and species. The research material was collected in 2017-2023. During the study, a total of 5865 domestic animals of 7 species were examined for tick infestation. Infestation was detected in 4536 of the examined domestic animals and 10629 ixodid ticks were collected from them. For each tick collection, the collection date, species composition, quantity, and developmental stage were recorded. The number, registration and species of ticks were determined using identification instructions. Genera and species were identified in the Parasitology laboratory of the “Veterinary Medicine” department of the Nakhchivan State University and the Nakhchivan Veterinary Scientific Research Experimental Station. The collected ticks consisted of 15 species belonging to the Ixodidea family, including Dermacentor marginatus Sulzer, 1776 , D.ushakova Fil. et Pan. 1987, D. nuttalli Ol. 1928, D. reticulatus Fabri. 1794, C Can. et Fanz, 1877, Haemaphysalis punctata Can. et Fanz.1877, Haem.sulcata Can et Fanz. 1877, Hyalomma anatolicum Koch, 1844, H. asiatucum P. Sch. Et E.Schl., 1929, H.detritum P. Schul., 1919, H. marginatum Koch, 1844, H. kozlovi Olenev, 1931, H. scupense P. Sch., 1918, Rhipicephalus bursa Can. Et Franz, 1877, Rh. turanicus B. Pom., 1940, Rh. sanguineus Lat., 1806. The most widespread among these species in the territory of the autonomous republic were H. anatolicum - 25.9%, H. asiaticum - 16%, Rh.bursa - 16.8%, D.marginatus - 14.5%. H.detritum, H.marginatum, H.kozlovi, Rh.turanicus, Haem. punctata species having epidemiological and epizootological significance were found in moderate numbers. The total number of these species varied between 2.7 and 6.7%, constituting 23.4% of the total collected material. Other species: H.scupense, Rh.sanguineus, D.reticulatus, D.nuttalli , D.ushakova, Haem.sulcata are very rare and, therefore, lack epidemiological and epizootiological significance. Their numbers range from 0.2% to 0.6%. As a result of the agro-improvement measures implemented, both the extensiveness and intensity of infestation decreased, with an average of 1.8 ticks per examined animal and 2.3 ticks per infested animal.