Ticks infesting domestic animals in northern Greece

Exp Appl Acarol. 2008 Aug;45(3-4):195-8. doi: 10.1007/s10493-008-9167-5. Epub 2008 Jun 18.

Abstract

The tick species infesting grazing animals in the countryside of 11 prefectures in Northern Greece were investigated during April-July and September-December of consecutive years 2003-2006. A total of 3,249 (1,952 males, 1,297 females) adult ticks were collected from goats, sheep, cattle and dogs. Ticks were identified as Ixodes ricinus (44.57%), Ixodes gibbosus (4.09%), Rhipicephalus bursa (19.14%), Rhipicephalus sanguineus, Rhipicephalus turanicus (5.79%), Hyalomma marginatum marginatum (12.40%), Dermacentor marginatus (0.31%) and Boophilus annulatus (4.43%). Rhipicephalus spp. and Hyalomma spp. were abundant in all prefectures, Ixodes spp. were present in 9/11 prefectures, Boophilus spp. in 4/11, while Dermacentor spp. were found only in one. Results of this study give an insight into the ecology of ticks and their potential of tick-borne diseases in the country.

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Animals, Domestic / parasitology*
  • Arachnid Vectors / classification*
  • Cattle / parasitology
  • Dogs / parasitology
  • Female
  • Goats / parasitology
  • Greece
  • Male
  • Sheep / parasitology
  • Ticks / classification*