Ectoparasites of hares (Lepus europaeus Pallas) in Konya Province, Turkey

This study was conducted to detect ectoparasites of hares (Lepus europaeus Pallas) between the years of 2003 and 2015 in Konya Province, Turkey. In this period, 75 hares shot by hunters were examined for ectoparasites macroscopically. Ectoparasites detected on the hares were collected with pliers and stored in tubes containing 70% ethanol.  e ticks were identi ed under a stereo zoom microscope. Other parasites were cleared in 10% KOH, rinsed in distilled water, and transferred to 70%, 80%, and 99% ethanol, respectively, and mounted on slides in Canada balsam.  ey were identi ed under a binocular light microscope.  e results showed that 33 (44%) of the 75 hares were infested with a total of 309 ectoparasites. Four lice species (Phthiraptera), Haemodipsus lyriocephalus, H. setoni, H. leporis, and Menacanthus spp.; two  ea species (Siphonaptera), Pulex irritans and Nosopsyllus fasciatus; three mite species, Cheyletiella parasitivorax, Dermanyssus gallinae, and Neotrombicula (N.) autumnalis; four ixodid tick genera, Ixodes, Haemaphysalis, Rhipicephalus, and Dermacentor; and one ixodid tick species, Haemaphysalis parva, were detected on the infested hares. In addition to these, thirteen ixodid and two argasid tick larvae were found on the hares.