Occurrence of Ctenocephalides felis infestation on yak and its cross-breds

摘要

Flea infestation due to Ctenocephalides felis on yaks in Arunachal Pradesh has been reported. Yak (Poephagus grunniens L) is a multi purpose bovid of high altitudes. This versatile bovid is a major source of livelihood for the highlanders living on and above 3000m MSL. Yaks are reared under transhumance system with vertical migration i.e. in summer they are moved to high altitude and in winter brought to lower altitude. During the phase of migration in months of March-May, ectoparasitic infestationsare common in yaks. Cat flea (Ctenocephalides felis) is ubiquitous and parasitisis many species of wild and domestic animals (Yeruham et al., 1989). In the present study, cat flea infestation on yak and its crossbreds is reported.