Identification and Affliction of Ixodid Tick Species in Domestic Animals

Abstract

Research on local breeds of cattle was conducted from November 2018 to April 2019 to identify major Ixodid ticks species and their prevalence. Sampled livestock from farmer associations was contingent selected by multistage sampling technique and then tested for tick infestation. Out of a total of 425 cattle examined, 120(28.57%) were infected with one or more tick strains. About 947 mature ticks were assembled and identified at the level of genes and species from animal organs. Three tick strains of three (3) genera (Amblyomma, Boophilus, and Rhipicephalus) were recognized. The one flesh prevalence of each strain was A. variegatum (61.08%), B. decoloratus (34.69%), and R. evertsi evertsi (4.11%). A. variegatum shows a higher preference for udder, scrotum, and axial; B. decoloratus were dewlap and mainly available Neck, abdomen, and groin; R. evertsi evertsi prefers perianal and valva, and below the tail area of the body. Tested between different age and sex categories of animals, the transmission was constructed to be statistically insignificant (P >0.05) whereas, transmission between body state values was constructed to be statistically significant (P <0.05). It has come to an end that conventional tick species may also be overseen for the infection Tick-borne abnormalities in addition to the physical loss to the skin. Therefore, further studies should be carried out on tick burden and tick-borne diseases thereby mitigating prevention and control strategies.