Some ecological observations on two east-Mediterranean species of Haemaphysalis ticks parasitizing domestic stock.
Haemaphysalis cretica and H. otophila thrive in the Mediterranean phytogeographic zone of the eastern Mediterranean area. Haemaphysalis otophila has a wide geographical distribution, H. cretica is more restricted. The adults of both species parasitize sheep and goats, and transmit diseases. The pre-imaginal stages feed on reptiles and small mammals. Adults attach to their hosts only during winter. The pre-oviposition period is long and the embryonic development is slow. Larvae hatch in spring and attach to their hosts in early summer; nymphs follow somewhat later and descend off their hosts in late summer. There is only one generation per year for each of the species.
D000818:Animals; D000829:Animals, Domestic / Q000469:parasitology; D001717:Birds / Q000469:parasitology; D002648:Child; D005060:Europe; D005260:Female; D006041:Goats / Q000469:parasitology*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008322:Mammals / Q000469:parasitology; D008877:Middle East; D010058:Oviposition; D011817:Rabbits; D051381:Rats; D012104:Reptiles / Q000469:parasitology; D012621:Seasons; D012756:Sheep / Q000469:parasitology*; D013987:Ticks / Q000254:growth & development* / Q000302:isolation & purification / Q000502:physiology