Faunistic Study of the Rodents in a focus of cutaneous leishmaniasis in the Northeastern Shiraz, South of Iran

BackgroundThe fauna of the rodent is medically important in Iran and also in Fars Province. Rodents play a significant role as reservoirs or vectors of about sixty different diseases especially as reservoir of leishmaniasis, with direct or indirect role in spread of these diseases. Increased rodent population in a region could be related to increased zoonotic diseases in human population.ObjectiveShiraz is one of the biggest cities of Iran located in Fars Province, comprising important focuses of cutaneous leishmaniasis. We aimed to study the fauna of rodents in Northeastern Shiraz, a recently newfound focus of leishmaniasis.Material and MethodsWe trapped rodents from two mainhabitats of rodents in Northeastern Shiraz,mountainous area and gardens. Rodents were deposited in the Entomo-Zoology Museum of Shiraz University of Medical Science. Specimen collection was performed in accordance with the procedures approved by the Ethical Committee of Shiraz University of Medical Science. The taxa were identified using available identification keys.ResultsThe total number of 48 specimens belonging to seven species and four families were identified. The results showed the high numbers and densities of Rattus rattus (32 %), Calomyscus cf bailwardi (20%), Mus musculus (20%), Dryomys sp. (8%), Mus cf. macedonicus (6 %), Meriones persicus (2%), and Hystrix indica (1%) in the area of study. Calomyscus cf bailwardi was the most abundant rodent species in mountainous area while R. rattus was the most abundant in gardens.Conclusion:The present study is an initiation to medically aspects of rodents as the reservoir of some important zoonotic diseases especially leishmaniasis in Shiraz. At least 6 species and four families of rodents were found in Northeastern Shiraz which most of them were medically and agriculturally important species