Distribution and Seasonal Dynamics of Tick Species Infesting Cattle in Nocturnal and Daytime Systems of Livestock in the Far North Region, Cameroon

Maïlaïso Marie Thérèse,Saotoing Pierre,Simon Dickmu,Bayang Houli Nicolas,Moussa Djaouda,Abah Samuel,Meke Christian,Poueme Namegni Rodrigue Simonet,Mamoudou Abdoulmoumini

doi:10.11648/j.ijast.20210503.11

Abstract

Diseases transmitted by ticks constitute a threat to cattle in Cameroon, Far North Region. The objective of this study was to identify ticks and to determine the structure and seasonal variation of tick communities infesting cattle in two types of farming in the Far North Region of Cameroon. Investigation on cattle were conducted from August 2018 to July 2019. Thus, ticks were collected monthly from 108 cattle in three districts (Bogo, Pétté, Kalfou). A total of 13151 adult ticks were collected. Identification revealed the presence of six tick species belonging to three genera whose relative abundance varied according to the different tick species: Amblyomma variegatum (39.88%), Hyalomma marginatum rufipes (33.43%), Hyalomma truncatum (14.70%); Hyalomma impeltatum (9.88%); Boophilus decoloratus (1.58%); Rhipicephalus sanguineus (0.51%). Ticks were most abundant at the beginning of the rainy season (June-July) and least abundant during the dry season (October-April). There was no significant difference between the abundance of different tick species in the two farming systems. Older animals and females were the most infested with ticks. The most infested parts by ticks were udders and testicles (40.08%), anal region (18.04%), legs and armpits (13.27%) and chest (13.96%). This study can help in improving of appropriate strategies for the control of ticks infestation in cattle.

Highlights

Livestock plays an important socio-economic role in human life
There was a significant difference between the abundance of Amblyomma variegatum and Hyalomma impeltatum, Hyalomma truncatum, Boophilus decoloratus and Rhipicephalus sanguineus at P
This study showed that in the Far North Region of Cameroon, the night and day rearing systems do not have much influence on the abundance of different tick species

Summary

Introduction

Livestock plays an important socio-economic role in human life. In Cameroon, livestock contributes more than 226.8 billion CFA francs to the GDP, i.e., a growth rate of4.9%. The national cattle herd in Maïlaïso Marie Thérèse et al.: Distribution and Seasonal Dynamics of Tick Species Infesting Cattle in Nocturnal and Daytime Systems of Livestock in the Far North Region, Cameroon. Cameroon is estimated at more than 7456123, 38% of which is in the Far North region. In the Far North Region, livestock is raised in the traditional way [33]. Current trends imply a new distribution of ticks as well as variation in the level of infestation and abundance of different tick species [15]. The seasonal dynamics of the different tick species in the Far North Region are not yet documented.

Objectives

Methods

Results

Discussion

Conclusion