Biodiversity, Geographical Distribution, and Faunal Study of Tick Populations Infesting Livestock in an Elevated County of Midwest Iran

Abstract Introduction: Ticks are hematophagous ectoparasites and vectors of significant zoonotic pathogens affecting livestock and humans. Understanding their biodiversity and distribution is critical for disease control. Materials and Methods This study surveyed tick populations across 16 sites in Delfan County, a mountainous region in western Iran. Ticks were collected monthly from five host species over one year and identified morphologically. Biodiversity was assessed using Margalef, Shannon, and Simpson indices. Results A total of 1337 ticks representing eight species across three genera were collected from 1280 animals. Hyalomma was the most dominant genus (≈ 80%), with H. anatolicum being the most prevalent species. Tick biodiversity was higher in mountain habitats and during the summer. Site 4 (Kafraj) showed the highest diversity indices, while Site 12 had the lowest. Discussion Tick diversity varied significantly across sites and seasons, influenced by elevation, climate, and host availability. High biodiversity suggests stable vector populations, potentially reducing dominance by any single species. Conclusion The site-specific distribution and diversity of ticks underscore the importance of ecological surveillance in vector control programs under the One Health framework.