About the finding of mites Rhipicephalus leporis (Arai, Ixodidae) in the southern Balkhash region

Ixiodid mites are vectors of many transmissible infections, including especially dangerous ones. Although the medical and veterinary significance of this group of blood-sucking arthropods can hardly be overestimated, nevertheless, it is known that intensive study of the fauna of ixodid mites in Kazakhstan fell on the Soviet period, and after the collapse of the USSR, studies of the fauna and taxonomy of ixodid mites were only episodic. Today, the fauna of ixodid mites of the Republic of Kazakhstan includes 42 species of these blood-sucking arachnids, while information on some species of mites is often fragmentary. So, as a result of a survey conducted on the territory of the Ile-Balkhash reserve for the flag, the authors collected 65 specimens of ixodid mites in total. In the course of identification, it was possible to establish that collected mites belonged to the genus Rhipicephalus, and upon species differentiation, all the collected mites turned out to be Rh. leporis. Mites concentrated mainly around living quarters, but the largest number was noted near the enclosure where Bukhara deer (Cervus elaphus bactrianus) were kept. Noteworthy there is the fact that earlier these species of mite was not indicated for this territory and was discovered by the authors here for the first time. Obtaining new information about the fauna of ixodid mites living on the territory of the Ile-Balkhash reserve may be important for the planned introduction of the Amur tiger (Panthera tigris tigris), since ixodid mites carry a large number of zoonotic diseases. Thus it will contribute to a comprehensive risk assessment for tiger introductions and may enhance the success of the planned activity.