Unexpected Guests: First Report of Hyalomma aegyptium Tick Infestation on Mediterranean Chameleons in Turkey
In a study published in the Eurasian Journal of Veterinary Sciences (2025), researcher Gokhan Eren documents the first known case of Hyalomma aegyptium tick infestation on the Mediterranean chameleon (Chamaeleo chamaeleon) in Türkiye. This discovery marks a novel host-parasite relationship and expands the known host range of Hy. aegyptium, a tick species typically associated with tortoises and some lizards.
Key Insights:
Location: The infestation was observed in the Demre district of Antalya Province, on Türkiye's southern coast.
Tick Identification: A specimen was collected from the orbital region of a chameleon and identified morphologically as Hyalomma aegyptium through microscopic examination.
Host Novelty: While Hy. aegyptium is commonly found on Testudo tortoises, its presence on chameleons is rare and previously undocumented.
Scientific Significance: This report introduces a new host record for Hy. aegyptium, contributing to the understanding of reptile ectoparasite dynamics and host-parasite ecology in the Mediterranean region.
This study not only highlights the ecological flexibility of Hyalomma aegyptium but also raises questions about the potential health impacts on chameleon populations and the broader implications for reptile conservation.
Eren, Gokhan. 2025. "A Novel Host Record: Hyalomma aegyptium (Linnaeus, 1758) Infestation on the Mediterranean Chameleon, Chamaeleo chamaeleon (Linnaeus, 1758) in Türkiye." Eurasian Journal of Veterinary Sciences 41:e0454. doi: 10.63673/eurasianjvetsci.454