Distribution and biodiversity components of hard ticks as potential vectors of Crimean-Congo haemorrhagic fever virus (CCHFV) in borderline of Iran-Afghanistan

ABSTRACT

The objectives of the present study were to investigate prevalence and biodiversity components of hard ticks as potential vectors of Crimean-Congo haemorrhagic fever virus in livestock of Iran–Afghanistan borderline in 2019. A total of 865 ticks were randomly collected from 10 counties of Iran–Afghanistan border line. Camels, cows, goats, and sheep were selected as hosts. A total of two genera and five species were identified according to morphological keys. The biodiversity indices (Simpson, Shannon, Margalef, Berger-Parker, and Pielou) were calculated. Rarefaction curves and richness estimators were used to calculate richness. Biodiversity components were adjusted using SHE analysis. Dominant species were Hyalomma and Rhipicephalus. Simpson and Shannon species diversity indices showed that the highest species diversity belonged to goats and also South Khorasan was more diverse than Sistan and Baluchestan. In SHE analysis, the log-normal model is clearly seen in the diagrams of the cows, sheep, and goats. South Khorasan also follows the log normal distribution. Dominant ticks were the major vectors of CCHFV and goats were determined as the most diverse livestock. As a result, goat population require more monitoring. The SHE graphs mainly followed the log-normal pattern, which is an indicator of normal societies.

KEYWORDS:

• Crimean–Congo haemorrhagic fever
• hard ticks
• Iran–Afghanistan border line
• biodiversity
• livestock

Acknowledgments

We would like to express our gratitude to the personnel of the School of Public Health, Tehran University of Medical Sciences.

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).

Additional information

Funding

This work was supported by the University of Zabol [UOZ-GR-9618-141].