15. Prevalence and taxonomic identification of hard ticks (Ixodidea) found in livestock of Harnai District, Balochistan, Pakistan

Abstract

Ticks cause considerable damage to the livestock in tropical and subtropical areas. Because of climatic and environmental changes, the frequencies of tick-borne infections are increasing day by day. This research trial displays an outline about the different species of hard ticks (Family; Ixodidae) found in sheep, goats, cows, buffaloes and camels in District Harnai, Baluchistanon. The study duration of the present research trial was from 1^st December 2018 to 1^st December 2019. Ticks were collected from different parts of the body and examined for species identification. Total 913 ticks were collected from livestock. Most susceptible animal was cow (65%) followed by buffalo (55%), camel (47.5%), sheep (30%) and goats (27.5%). Prevalence with respect to season, it was noted that, in summer season all hosts i.e. cows, buffalo, camels, goats and sheep were found to be highly infested while in winter infestation was low. In the current research trial, the prevalence of tick was high in cattle as compared to other livestock of Harnai District, Baluchistan. Nine species of ticks were identified in the study area as Amblyomma variegatum, Amblyomma heberaeum, Rhipicephalus Boophilus, Hyalomma dromedarii, Rhipicephalus appendiculatus, Rhipicepalus boophilus microplus, Rhipicephalus Boophilus annulatus, Hyalomma anatolicum, and Ixodes rubicundus. The widely spread and most prevalent species of tick were Amblyomma heberaeum and Rhipicephalus appendiculatus, while Ixodes rubicundus was the least prevalent specie. Favorable climatic conditions may be one of the reasons of this high prevalence of ticks in District Harnai.

Keywords: Cow; District; Harnai; Ixodidae; Prevalence; Tick

http://dx.doi.org/10.19045/bspab.2020.90247