Biological features of ixodid tick dispersal in biotopes of the West Kazakhstan region

Abstract

A biological and faunal analysis of the species distribution of Ixodid ticks in the West Kazakhstan region was carried out. The ecological features of the distribution of Ixodid mites in the biogeocenosis of the studied region, as well as their species association with certain biotopes, are studied. The highest species diversity of ticks is distinguished by the elevated steppe zone. The ixodid fauna in this zone is represented by 5 species belonging to 4 genera: D. marginatus, D. reticulatus, H. detritum, Rh. rossicus, and I. persulcatus. Mites of the genus Dermacentor prefer toinhabit areas with sufficiently moist soil, with mixed grass and meadow vegetation. I. persulcatus and Rh. rossicus species are found in forested floodplains, Hyalomma species are pastures.  In the collected specimens of Ixodid ticks, a significant predominance of females compared to males was noted. Ticks of the genus Dermacentor are distributed mainly in flat steppe landscapes. Forest and forest-steppe zones are the most suitable for the ixodid family. For Ripicephalus, they are forest-steppe and semi-desert. Ticks of the genus Hyalomma are found only in areas of cattle breeding and adjacent territories.