African Journal of
Agricultural Research

  • Abbreviation: Afr. J. Agric. Res.
  • Language: English
  • ISSN: 1991-637X
  • DOI: 10.5897/AJAR
  • Start Year: 2006
  • Published Articles: 6801

Full Length Research Paper

Abundance and distribution of Ixodid tick species infesting cattle reared under traditional farming systems in Tanzania

Isack Ibrahim Kerario*
  • Isack Ibrahim Kerario*
  • Department of Disease Control, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of Zambia P. O. Box 32379, Lusaka, Zambia.
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Walter Muleya
  • Walter Muleya
  • Department of Biomedical Sciences, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of Zambia, P. O. Box 32379, Lusaka, Zambia
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Sebastian Chenyambuga
  • Sebastian Chenyambuga
  • Department of Animal, Aquaculture and Range Sciences, College of Agriculture, Sokoine University of Agriculture P.O. Box 3004, Morogoro, Tanzania.
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Marja Koski
  • Marja Koski
  • Technical University of Denmark, National Institute of Aquatic Resources, Section for Ocean Ecology and Climate, KavalergÃ¥rden 6, 2920 Charlottenlund, Denmark.
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Seong-Gu Hwang
  • Seong-Gu Hwang
  • Laboratory of Applied Biochemistry (J-304), Department of Animal Life and Environmental Science, Faculty of Agriculture and Life Science, Hankyong National University, 327 Jungang-ro, Anseong-si, Gyeongi-do, 456-749, Korea Republic.
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Martin Simuunza
  • Martin Simuunza
  • Department of Disease Control, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of Zambia P. O. Box 32379, Lusaka, Zambia.
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  •  Received: 01 December 2016
  •  Accepted: 05 January 2017
  •  Published: 26 January 2017

Abstract

Ticks and tick-borne diseases are serious constraints to livestock production in Tanzania and other sub-Saharan African countries. Despite this, knowledge on the abundance of tick species infesting cattle in most parts of Tanzania is insufficient or lacking. This study was conducted to identify species and establish the abundance of ticks infesting cattle in Mara, Singida and Mbeya regions of Tanzania. The ticks were collected from one side of the body, counted and identified, based on morphological characteristics; to species level. The mean tick count per animal was significantly higher in Mara (35.8±4.3, p=0.0001) as compared to Singida (12.9±2.1) and Mbeya (7.0±0.4) regions. Young animals in Mara (24.7±6.0, p=0.0395) and Mbeya (5.4±0.3, p=0.0252) exhibited relatively lower mean tick counts compared to the weaners (Mara = 33.8±6.5, Mbeya = 7.2±0.7) and adult animals (Mara = 46.3±8.4, Mbeya = 7.8±0.7). Seven tick species from three different genera, namely Ambylomma, Hyalomma, Rhipicephalus (including the subgenus Boophilus), were identified. However, only five species (A. lepidum, A. variegatum, R. decoloratus, R. microplus and H. rufipes) were observed in all the three regions.  R. appendiculatus and R. evertsi were not found in Mbeya and Mara respectively. The most prevalent species in Mara, Singida and Mbeya were R. appendiculatus (50.5%), A.  lepidum (31.2%) and R. evertsi (35.6%), respectively. This study showed the existence of a variety of tick species, most of them being of veterinary importance. Therefore, strategic planning and cost-effective tick control measures should be implemented in order to reduce losses caused by ticks and tick borne diseases in the study area.

Key words: Ixodid ticks, abundance, distribution, cattle, Tanzania

Abbreviation

AAP, Aggregation-attachment pheromones; ACP, Africa Caribbean and Pacific; ANOVA, analysis of variance; BCS, Body condition score; CI, Confidence interval; ECF, East Coast fever; EPINAV,  Enhancing Pro-poor Innovation in Natural Resources and Agricultural Value Chains; FAO, Food and Agriculture Organization; GDP, gross domestic product; GLM, General linear model; MLFD, Ministry of Livestock and Fisheries Development; MRSP, Mbeya Region Socio-Economic Profile; NORAD, Norwegian Agency for International Development; SAS, statistical analysis system; SE, standard error; SUA, Sokoine University of Agriculture; TBDs, tick borne diseases; UNZA, University of Zambia; USD, United States dollar; MRUF, Mara Region-The Unique Features; SRSP, Singida Region Socio-Economic Profile; NBS, National Bureau of Statistics.

Copyright © 2023 Author(s) retain the copyright of this article.

This article is published under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License 4.0

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