A Survey for Ixodid Ticks of Domestic Goats Capra hircus (Linnaeus, 1758) in Baghdad City, Iraq with Notes on Important Identification Characters

Abstract

The domestic goat Capra hircus is considered an important economic animal throughout Iraq. The ixodid ticks are obligate ectoparasites that resulted in serious harm to the animal host. They parasitize the head, the ears, the inside of limbs, and the belly. Examination of 276 domestic goats for ixodid ticks in Baghdad city collected during the period between January to June 2019 showed that infestation prevalence was 24.64% with a significant difference in prevalence between male and female goats according to the statistical analysis. The results revealed the presence of Hyalomma anatolicum, H. turanicum, Rhipicephalus (Boophilus) annulatus, R. sanguineus, and R. turanicus. The tick species R. turanicus was the most frequently recovered off goats (81.64%). The identification characters for each species were provided.