REDESCRIPTION OF RHIPICEPHALUS PRAVUS DONITZ, 1910 (IXODIDA, IXODIDAE) ON SHEEP IN IRAQ

The current investigation was to redescribe the morphology of the species of hard tick, Rhipicephalus pravus Dönitz, 1910 (Ixodida, Ixodidae) that was recently recorded from Baghdad Province, central of Iraq. A total of 130 sheep were obtained from the local animal markets in Baghdad Province, throughout the period from May 2022 to November 2023; these sheep were examined for the presence of hard ticks. The current study revealed five sheep infested with R. pravus in Baghdad Province. The specimens were deposited in the Iraq Natural History Research Center and Museum-Baghdad University under the number: INHM, 2023: Hard Ticks, No. 1.1. Hard tick-borne pathogens were reviewed, so this species of tick was associated with several pathogens, so it an important species that affects public health and livestock as well. The present description was provided with pictures and illustrations.