Preliminary Survey on the Distribution of Ixodid Ticks in small ruminants of Dhas District of Borena pastoral area, Southern Rangelands of Ethiopia

摘要

A survey was conducted to identify tick species and determine the prevalence of tick infestation in small ruminants of Dhas district of Borena pastoral area, southern rangelands of Ethiopia. Collection and identification of the ticks were undertaken from February 2013 to July 2013. All visible individual adult ticks were collected from the body of 248 goats and 136 sheep. The prevalence of tick infestation in goats and sheep was found to be 97.58% and 69.86%, respectively. In this study, five species of ticks which grouped under four genera were identified. The most abundant species found in this study were Boophilus decoloratus (41%), Rhipicephalus pulchellus (34.21%), Amblyomma gemma (14.07%) and Rhipicephalus evertsi evertsi (6.92%). Hyalomma dromedari (4.02%) was the minor species observed on goats. The difference in the prevalence of tick infestation between sheep and goats and age groups was statistically significant (P 0.05). Moreover, with the exception of Amblyomma gemma and Hyalomma dromedari in all cases female ticks dominated males. Better success could be attained if an emphasis is being put on spraying small ruminants as per the current finding. Further studies on epidemiological occurrence and the influence of environment and tick related risk factors and of tick-borne diseases, as well as the involvement of wildlife species (as potential hosts) as well as related factors is recommended as these may provide a valuable basis for designing and launching an all-round control programme in the country.