Infestation of the spur-thighed tortoise (Testudo graeca) by Hyalomma aegyptium in Tunisia

The mean infestation prevalence was 66.2%, mean overall infestation intensity and abundance were 4.33 and 2.86 ticks/tortoise respectively. Our survey showed that tortoises were significantly more infested by male ticks than females (p < 0.001). The ticks were mainly present in the posterior limbs compared to other body regions (p < 0.05). There was no significance variation of length and weight of tortoises according to sex (p < 0.05). There was a significant correlation between the tortoises' size (length and weight) and tick infestation. This study showed high tick burdens of spur-thighed tortoises in Tunisia; further investigations are needed to determine exactly the role of this tick species in the transmission of different zoonotic pathogens.