Abundance and distribution of ixodid tick species Infesting cattle reared under traditional farming Systems in Tanzania

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dc.creatorKerario, Isack Ibrahim
dc.creatorMuleya, Walter
dc.creatorChenyambuga, Sebastian
dc.creatorKoski, Marja
dc.creatorHwang, Seong-Gu
dc.creatorSimuunza, Martin
dc.date.accessioned2023-04-20T08:01:31Z
dc.date.accessioned2025-08-05T07:39:33Z
dc.date.available2023-04-20T08:01:31Z
dc.date.created2023-04-20T08:01:31Z
dc.date.issued2017
dc.description.abstractTicks and tick-borne diseases are serious constraints to livestock production in Tanzania and other sub-Saharan African countries. Despite this, knowledge on the abundan ce 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.
dc.identifier1991-637X
dc.identifierhttp://www.suaire.sua.ac.tz/handle/123456789/5211
dc.identifier.urihttp://repository.costech.or.tz/handle/20.500.14732/99291
dc.languageen
dc.publisherAfrican Journal of Agricultural Research
dc.subjectIxodid ticks
dc.subjectabundance
dc.subjectdistribution
dc.subjectcattle
dc.subjectTanzania
dc.titleAbundance and distribution of ixodid tick species Infesting cattle reared under traditional farming Systems in Tanzania
dc.typeArticle

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