Hungary is situated in the southern part of Central Europe, next to the northern boundary
of the Mediterranean region. This geographical position may allow the northward expansion
of Mediterranean ixodid tick species into Hungary, particularly in the era of warming
climate. During the past 14 years numerous surveys have been published on the species
and activity of hard ticks occurring in the country. However, it was 60 years ago
that the last comprehensive review of ixodid ticks of Hungary was published, and only
in Hungarian language. The purpose of the present checklist is to provide a comprehensive
and complete overview of the ixodid fauna of Hungary, based on tick reports published
so far in Hungarian or English, also including hitherto unpublished data. Altogether
27 hard tick species were identified in Hungary, of which 21 can be regarded as indigenous.
Most importantly, the autochthonous occurrence of Rhipicephalus sanguineus
sensu lato was not known prior to 2005, but during the last 14 years increasing numbers
of cases have been reported, attesting the emergence of this tick species in Hungary.
Whereas R. sanguineus sensu lato was always associated
with dogs and cats in Hungary, other tick species show differences in host associations
according to habitat type, seasonal activity and questing height. Changes in the distribution,
abundance and seasonality of a few tick species were also noted.
