author(s)
Sabeeh H Al-Mayah and Alaa N Hatem

abstract
This study was carried out in Basrah province, south of Iraq, during June 2016 to May 2017. The survey was done with a total of 240 buffaloes, 124 (51.6%) were found infested with one or more of ectoparasites. 10 species of ectoparasites were identified, Six species of ticks, five are hard ticks, namely: Hyalomma anatolicum Kotch, 1844, Hyalomma excavatum Koch, 1844, Hyalomma asiaticum Schulze and Schlottke, 1929, Rhipicephalis turanicus Pomerantzev, 1941, Haemaphysalis sulcata Canestrini and Fanzago, 1878, and one species of the soft ticks: Otobius megnini Duges, 1884. Three species of lice, two are sucking lice: Haematopinus tuberculatus Brumeister, 1839, and Haematopinus eurysternus Denny, 1842, one of the biting lice: Damalina Caprae Gurlt, 1843, One species of mites Psoroptis ovis Hering,1838.The infestation prevalence rate of ticks was 53%, higher compared to lice 45.5%,and to mites1.5%. The most prevalent of ticks species in the study was H. anatolicum with an abundance of 39%, while, Hae. sulcata was the lowest abundance with 5%. For lice, Ha. tuberculatus recorded the heights abundance with 35.5%. Many variations of the seasonal abundance of osteoporosis were determined during the study period. Ticks were found to be more abundant in the moderate climates (Spring and Autumn) period of the year, while Winter months recorded low rates of abundance. May was recorded the highest prevalence of ticks abundance with 60%, while, January was the lowest with 25%. For lice, the high prevalence rates were noticed in moderate and cold climates, The highest abundance rate of lice was recorded in May with 55%, while, in August the lowest prevalence was recorded with 15%. For mites, the samples were collected in two months only during the study period, May and June.