Data from: Identification and genetic diversity of ticks in local sheep in Samarra city, northern of Baghdad, Iraq

This study reported hard tick (Ixodida: Ixodidae) infestation in sheep in
Samara city, north of Baghdad, from June to December 2023. A total of 480
ticks were manually pulled out from the sheep with an ethanol-soaked
tissue and preserved in plastic containers containing 70% ethyl alcohol.
All samples were counted and examined individually under a light
microscope to identify the genus. Preliminary microscopic examination
revealed that the majority of the collected ticks were Hyalomma, with
91.4%, followed by Rhipicephalus (6.8%) and Ixodes (1.8%). Furthermore,
Hyalomma was dominant across all months, with a peak relative abundance in
October (100%). The peak relative abundances for Rhipicephlus (16%) and
Ixodes (4.3%) occurred in July. Under further microscopic evaluation,
morphological features demonstrated three species, namely, Hyalomma
detritum (Koch), Hy. anatolicum (Koch) and Rhipicephalus sanguineus sensu
lato (Latreille). To confirm genera and species, molecular diagnosis was
performed, based on the COX1 gene, resulting in the identification of five
species, namely, Hy. detritum , Hy. anatolicum , Hy. excavatum (Koch,
1844), Rh. sanguineus sensu lato and an unidentified Ixodes sp. 
While the Ixodes scapularis isolation unexpectedly revealed genetic
resemblance to North American samples, indicating a wider geographical
spread, the Hyalomma and Rhipicephalus isolates shared ancestry with other
Middle Eastern strains, demonstrating regional genetic stability. These
results showed the comprehensive diversity of tick species in sheep,
including Hyalomma, Rhipicephalus, and Ixodes, and also provided good
epidemiological data to support the preventative procedures of tick-borne
infections in Samarra city.