Rodents play a significant role as reservoirs of various zoonotic diseases including parasitic infections. Rodent’s fur, saliva, urine, and feces, may contain pathogens, which may contaminate human, or domestic animals. Evaluation of the ectoparasite of rodents in different zoographical areas seems necessary due to the impact of rodent-associated diseases on human and live-stock health. There are about 150 Haemaphysalis species worldwide, with species-specific distribution and prevalence. Most species occur in Southeast Asia.ObjectiveThe aim of this study was to Report Calomyscus cf. bailwardi (Rodentia: Calomyscidae) as a new rodent host infested with the Yellow Dog Tick Haemaphysalis leachi from Iran. The parasite Haemaphysalis leachi is also reported here as the first distribution record of this species from Iran.Material and MethodsThe rodents were trapped from mountainous area of Northeastern Shiraz. The bodies of collected rodents were brushed after general anesthesia to remove ectoparasites on a white tray filled with water. Also their ears were carefully examined by a forceps. The collected specimens were stored in 70 % alcohol for other process. Ticks were examined and identified by valid keys.Results10 rodent specimens were identified to the genus Calomyscus based on morphological characters. The resent studies have showed that Calomyscus species from Fars Provinces represent a new species other than C. bailwardi. Since this species name is debatable for the specimens from Fars Province, therefore we considered them as Calomyscus cf. bailwardi. Two attached ticks were collected on the ear base and back of the two infested Calomyscus rodents and identified as Haemaphysalis leachi.Conclusion: Haemaphysalis ticks are all vectors of several tick-borne diseases of livestock, wild animals, pets and humans. The yellow dog tick, (Haemaphysalis leachi) is an obligate ectoparasite of many wild and domestic mammals. It is also a potential
vector of boutonneuse fever and canine babesiosis. Hence, distribution range, host, diversity and taxonomic study of the parasite are very important for controlling vector-borne diseases. We report Calomyscus cf. bailwardi as a new rodent host infested with this parasite from Iran. Furthermore, herein, this Haemaphysalis tick species is recorded for the first time from Iran