Ticks ( <i>Argasidae</i> and <i>Ixodidae</i> ) in Tehran Province, Central Iran: Distribution and Seasonal Activity

Ticks are obligatory ectoparasites of vertebrates and can transmit pathogens, including: arboviruses, bacteria, and parasites to humans and animals worldwide. This study aimed to identify the tick species found on semi-domestic hosts in Tehran Province. This cross-sectional study, conducted from 2020 to 2021, aimed. Of 1165 captured hosts, 16.3% (<i>n</i> = 190) were infested with ticks. A total of 574 ticks were collected. Hard ticks (Acari: <i>Ixodidae</i>) comprised 86% (<i>n</i> = 493) and included 11 species, while soft ticks (Acari: <i>Argasidae</i>) made up 14% (<i>n</i> = 81) and included 3 species. The brown dog tick, <i>Rhipicephalus sanguineus sensu lato,</i> and North American tick with cattle tick, <i>R. annulatus</i> (formerly belonged to the genus <i>Boophilus</i> as <i>B. annulatus</i>), represented the highest and lowest frequencies of 39.3% and 0.3%, respectively. Notably, <i>Haemaphysalis inermis</i> was identified for the first time in Shemiranat County. The highest tick infestation intensity was observed in the Varamin district.