Ectoparasites of hares ( Lepus europaeus Pallas) in Konya Province, Turkey

Abstract

This study was conducted to detect ectoparasites of hares ( Lepus europaeusPallas) between the years of 2003 and 2015in Konya Province, Turkey. In this period, 75 hares shot by hunters were examined for ectoparasites macroscopically. Ectoparasitesdetected on the hares were collected with pliers and stored in tubes containing 70% ethanol. The ticks were identified under a stereozoom microscope. Other parasites were cleared in 10% KOH, rinsed in distilled water, and transferred to 70%, 80%, and 99% ethanol,respectively, and mounted on slides in Canada balsam. They were identified under a binocular light microscope. The results showedthat 33 (44%) of the 75 hares were infested with a total of 309 ectoparasites. Four lice species (Phthiraptera),Haemodipsus lyriocephalus , H. setoni ,H. leporis , andMenacanthusspp.; two flea species (Siphonaptera),Pulex irritansandNosopsyllus fasciatus ; three mite species,Cheyletiella parasitivorax ,Dermanyssus gallinae , andNeotrombicula( N. )autumnalis ; four ixodid tick genera,Ixodes ,Haemaphysalis , Rhipicephalus , andDermacentor ; and one ixodid tick species,Haemaphysalis parva , were detected on the infested hares. In addition tothese, thirteen ixodid and two argasid tick larvae were found on the hares.