Tick fauna and monitoring of tick host animals at Alataw Pass.

Objective To identify the baseline species composition and distribution patterns of ticks and their parasitic relationships with the host animals at Atlataw Pass,and to monitor the dynamics of border-crossing ticks,providing the basis for identification of alien species and disease transmission.Methods From January to December 2008,ticks were collected manually or by using clothes from livestock,poultry,wild animals,small mammals and caves at plague monitoring sites along Alataw Pass.The predominant populations were monitored for pathogens.Results After one-year investigation,1780 ticks of 8 species in 5 genera,1 family were collected,including 334 found on imported cowhide.The predominant species was Hyalomma asiaticum,accounting for 78.8%.These ticks were distributed in each monitoring site except urban areas,and also the ones primarily parasitic on the surface of domestic animals and small mammals.Other common species of tick included Dermacentor niveus,Hy.detritum,Hy.scupense and Haemaphysalis erinacei.The first 3 were mainly seen on the surface of such animals as cattle,sheep,horses and camels,while the other in small animals such as Vormela peregusna and Hemiechinus auritus.Rare species consisted of Ixodes redikorzevi and Rhipicephalus sanguineus,which were mainly found on the surface of wolves and in rat holes.Rh.pumilio was the strange species collected.A total of 334 ticks were detected on imported cowhide.Conclusion The one-year investigation revealed the baseline species composition,distribution and seasonal dynamics of vector ticks and their parasitic relationships with the host animals along Alataw Pass,as well as tick infestation on imported cowhide.This study provided the basis for prevention and control of tick-borne diseases and the spread of this vector.