ABSTRACT

In this study, Hyalomma anatolicum anatolicum male ticks were subjected to gamma radiation with a dose of 10 Gy emitted by a gamma-ray source of Caesium 137. Female ticks were divided into 3 groups and placed in rabbit ears to feed. In the first group, the females fed with normal and irradiated males, in the second group females fed only with irradiated males and in last group females fed with normal males. Biological parameters such as the feeding period, weights, period of time from dropping until egg-laying began, the number of eggs and the number of larva hatching from eggs were recorded. With the results of statistical analysis it was found that the average egg laying period of females in the second group was clearly less (22.77 days) than other groups and the difference between these groups was statistically important (P<0.05). After evaluation of numbers of larva, also there was a statistically important difference between the groups and the average number of larva was clearly higher (2519.30) in third group than other groups. In conclusion, in this study it was found that irradiated males could not compete with normal males in mating with females and because of this they couldn’t affect the feeding and reproductivity of females.

Keywords: Hyalomma anatolicum anatolicum, Gamma radiation