Faunistic Study of the Rodents of North Khorasan Province, North East of Iran, 2011–2013

Abstract

Background:Rodents are one of the most important hosts for some zoonotic diseases and also act as a reservoir of some ectoparasites and endoparasites. They cause damage to the farms and inflict public health. The aim of this study was to investigate the faunal composition of rodent in North Khorasan Province, Northeast of Iran.Methods:The sampling was carried out between 2011 to 2013. The specimens were collected using different methods including rodent death and live traps, digging of their burrow, and hand net from 75 different sample sites.Results:The total number of 396 specimens belonging to 22 species and six families were identified. The results illustrated the high numbers and densities of Meriones persicus (17.68%), Meriones libycus (15.15%), Nesokia indica (7.32%) and Rhombomys opimus (6.82%), as the most important reservoirs for different zoonotic diseases. Moreover, significant number of other rodent species including Mus musculus (15.66%), Apodemus witherbyi (13.89%), A. hyrcanicus (0.25%), Rattus norvegicus (1.01%), Meriones crassus (0.25%), Gerbillus nanus (0.51%), Microtus paradoxus (2.27%), M. transcaspicus (0.76%), Ellobius fuscocapillus (0.25%), Cricetulus migratorius (4.29%), Calomyscus elburzensis (4.29%), C. mystax (1.26%), Spermophilus fulvus (0.25%), Dryomys nitedula (3.54%), Allactaga elater (3.54%), Jaculus blanfordi (0.25%), Meriones zarudnyi (0.25%), M. meridianus (0.51%), and Hystrix indica as hosts for parasites and zoonotic diseases were identified.Conclusion:The high biodiversity including at least 22 species and six families of rodents were found in North Khorasan Province, some of them were medically important species.

Response Comment on” Intestinal Helminths in Different Spe-cies of Rodents in North Khorasan Province, Northeast of Iran

“…The samples, which included rodent carcasses, were provided after an assessment of rodent fauna in North Khorasan Province as part of another research project carried out in Vector-borne diseases research center, Bojnurd, Iran (13). The specimens were collected using different methods including kill and live traps, digging of their burrow, filling of their hiding places with water and hand net.…”

Seroprevalence of Leptospira infection in occupational risk groups in North Khorasan province, Iran

“…Due to nonspecific signs and clinical symptoms, leptospirosis often remains unrecognized. Zoonotic infections including leishmaniasis and leptospirosis were reported among rodents and wild canines (fox, jackal, and wolf) in North Khorasan province, Iran ( Ab Rahman et al., 2018 ; Arzamani et al., 2018 ).…”

Histomorphology of the lower respiratory tract in the Indian crested porcupine (Hystrix indica)

“…The Indian crested porcupine ( Hystrix indica ) (ICP) is a large hystricomorph rodent (order Rodentia ) belonging to the family Hystricidae. It is widely distributed from central to southwestern Asia and is the largest rodent in Iran (Arzamani et al., 2018; Albaba, 2016; Khan et al., 2000; Rajabloo et al, 2015). It has various defence mechanisms and nocturnal behaviour and spend the days in natural caves, excavated burrows or crevices (Rajabloo et al, 2015).…”