Morphological identification of ticks, lice, and fleas
Ticks, lice, and fleas were morphologically identified to species level using a stereomicroscope (Zeiss, Oberkochen, Germany) with the aid of identification keys (Walker et al., 2004; Pratt, 1973). Excessively engorged tick samples were excluded from the analysis. Representative specimens were photographed using an Axio-cam ERc 5s digital camera (Zeiss) mounted on a stereomicroscope. Ticks, lice, and fleas were pooled (1-3) according to developmental stage, sex, species, and host from which they were sampled.