Species diversity of fleas (Siphonaptera) and hard ticks (Ixodidae) infesting wild caprids (Capra aegagrus, Rupicapra rupicapra) and some other mammals in Türkiye

Year 2026, Accepted Papers, 1 - 7

Gökhan Eren , Gökçe Ali Keleş , Ahmet Yesari Selçuk

https://doi.org/10.33988/auvfd.1676058

Abstract

Ectoparasites are arthropods that threaten human and animal health by causing infestations. They are also considered a global health concern due to diseases transmitted by fleas and ticks. The impact of wild animals (mammals, birds, and reptiles) on ectoparasite infestations and the epidemiology of ectoparasite-borne diseases is undeniable. The study material consists of ectoparasite specimens (ticks and fleas) collected from individuals of wild goat (Capra aegagrus, n: 2), chamois (Rupicapra rupicapra, n: 3), golden jackal (Canis aureus, n: 2), and roe deer (Capreolus capreolus, n: 2) that were found dead during field studies conducted in the Artvin and Erzurum provinces of Türkiye. As a result of the microscopic examination, the tick specimens collected from the wild goats were identified as Haemaphysalis kopetdaghica Kerbabaev, 1962, Ixodes gibbosus Nuttall, 1916, and Rhipicephalus bursa Canestrini & Fanzago, 1878. In addition, the flea specimens collected from the golden jackals (C. aureus) were identified as Ctenocephalides canis (Curtis, 1826) and Ctenocephalides felis (Bouché, 1835), while the tick specimens collected from the roe deer (C. capreolus) were identified as Ixodes ricinus (Linnaeus, 1758). Haemaphysalis kopetdaghica and I. gibbosus, detected on chamois (R. rupicapra), and Ctenocephalides felis, detected on golden jackal (C. aureus), are new host-parasite associations for the ectoparasite fauna of Türkiye.

Keywords

Ctenocephalides felis , ectoparasites of wild animals. , Haemaphysalis kopetdaghica , Ixodes gibbosus

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