Medical Journal of Mashhad university of Medical Sciences

Medical Journal of Mashhad university of Medical Sciences

Dispersion Indices, Geostatistics, and Identification of Ixodidae Species in Bandar Mahshahr, Khuzestan Province

Document Type : Research Paper

Authors
Zahra Tahernezhad 1
Maryam Kamali 2
Mohammad Saaid Dayer 1
Mohammad Abdigoudarzi 3
1 Department of Medical Entomology, Faculty of Medical Sciences, Tarbiat Modares University
2 Department of Medical Entomology, Faculty of Medical Sciences, Tarbiat Modares Univesity,Tehran, Iran
3 Reference Lab for Tick Study, Department of Parasitology, Razi Vaccine and Serum Research Institute,
10.22038/mjms.2025.87702.4993
Abstract
Ticks are among the most significant arthropods in medical and veterinary sciences due to their ability to transmit deadly pathogens. Economically, they are the most important ectoparasites of livestock and other animals in tropical and subtropical regions. This study aimed to investigate dispersion indices and geostatistics to identify the distribution pattern of Ixodidae Ticks in Bandar Mahshahr, Khuzestan Province.
From March 2023 to February 2024, Ticks were collected from three areas in Bandar Mahshahr: Chamran, Shahrak-e Shahid Madani, and Maqtu’e Olya. They were carefully removed using alcohol-soaked cotton and forceps, preserved in vials containing 96% ethanol, and transferred to the laboratory. Species identification was performed using taxonomic keys and stereomicroscopic examination.
To analyze their dispersion, Taylor’s index, Iwao’s index, Morisita’s index, and the k-index were applied. A total of 428 hard ticks were collected and identified, belonging to four species: Hyalomma anatolicum, Hyalomma marginatum, Rhipicephalus turanicus, and Rhipicephalus sanguineus. Regression analysis revealed that random dispersion was more prevalent than aggregated dispersion during spring and summer. The results indicated that spring provides more favorable environmental conditions for Tick movement, while summer exhibits stronger dispersion patterns. Based on these findings, tick control strategies can be seasonally adjusted, and control measures can be tailored according to population dynamics.
Keywords
Ixodid ticks
Dispersion indices
Geostatistics
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Medical Journal of Mashhad university of Medical Sciences
Volume 68, Issue 6
January and February 2026
Pages 1771-1779