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Ixodid ticks of cattle in Borno and Yours truly, Obe states of northeastern Nigeria: Breed and coat colour preference
Abstract
The prevalence of Ixodid ticks of cattle in Borno and Yobe states, Northeastern Nigeria was studied from March to October, 2010. Out of 3,150 cattle examined in these areas, 1,095 (34.8%) of them were infested with ticks. Of these, 57.1% of the infestation was among cattle in Borno State, while 42.9% was observed in Yobe State. Out of the total
number of cattle examined, 2,175 (69.0) were males and 33.8% of them were infested with ticks. The number of females examined was 975 (31.0), out of which 36.9% had ticks. There was no significant difference (p > 0.05) in the infestation of ticks between the male and female cattle. The ticks observed on the cattle in both states were Amblyomma variegatum (43.8%), followed by Hyalomma sp (24.7%), Boophilus sp (21.9%) and Dermacentor sp (9.6%). Overall, tick infestation occurred most among the
White Fulani breed with a prevalence of 240 (21.9%), followed by N’ dama and Red Bororo in which the prevalence of ticks was 180 (16.4%) for each of the breeds. The least (6.8%) infestation of ticks was among the Keteku breed. The preferred sites of attachment for ticks among cattle examined in Borno state were inner thigh, dew lap, abdomen, legs, udder, dorsum, ear and hump, in this order. Cattle examined in Yobe state were infested on their dorsum, inner thigh, legs, abdomen, udder and then on the
dew lap, ear and hump. The ticks observed infesting cattle in these states are of veterinary importance, because they are vectors of economically important blood protozoan parasites. Adequate control measures should therefore be adopted to protect these animals.
number of cattle examined, 2,175 (69.0) were males and 33.8% of them were infested with ticks. The number of females examined was 975 (31.0), out of which 36.9% had ticks. There was no significant difference (p > 0.05) in the infestation of ticks between the male and female cattle. The ticks observed on the cattle in both states were Amblyomma variegatum (43.8%), followed by Hyalomma sp (24.7%), Boophilus sp (21.9%) and Dermacentor sp (9.6%). Overall, tick infestation occurred most among the
White Fulani breed with a prevalence of 240 (21.9%), followed by N’ dama and Red Bororo in which the prevalence of ticks was 180 (16.4%) for each of the breeds. The least (6.8%) infestation of ticks was among the Keteku breed. The preferred sites of attachment for ticks among cattle examined in Borno state were inner thigh, dew lap, abdomen, legs, udder, dorsum, ear and hump, in this order. Cattle examined in Yobe state were infested on their dorsum, inner thigh, legs, abdomen, udder and then on the
dew lap, ear and hump. The ticks observed infesting cattle in these states are of veterinary importance, because they are vectors of economically important blood protozoan parasites. Adequate control measures should therefore be adopted to protect these animals.
