Abstract
Ticks are the most important ecto-parasites of livestock in tropical and subtropical areas, and are responsible for severe economic losses in livestock. Ticks are a major veterinary concern as they transmit pathogens, produce tick paralysis or toxicosis, and reduce production in livestock. The cost of worldwide economic losses and the additional burden of protecting livestock against ticks and tick-borne diseases are now estimated to be billions of dollars annually. The main objective of this study was to determine the tick diversity in farm animals from selected areas of Sri Lanka. Additionally, the possibility of the introduction of tick species from wildlife into livestock was also investigated. Ticks were collected from livestock in 30 locations in the Wet zone and 30 locations in the Dry zone (representing both rural and urban regions), covering most parts of Sri Lanka, during the years 2009 and 2010. Eighteen (18) tick species were recorded in the present study, indicating a fair increase in tick species reported in livestock in Sri Lanka. The findings included rare tick species, which has been previously reported only on wild animals. Some tick species showed a host preference while others have expanded their geographical and host range. Tropical Agricultural Research Vol. 24 (4): 336-346 (2013)
Highlights
Ticks belong to the phylum Arthropoda and make up the largest collection of species in the order Acarina
Eighteen (18) tick species were recorded in the present study, indicating a fair increase in tick species reported in livestock in Sri Lanka
R. boophilus was the most prevalent tick species in livestock followed by R. sanguineus
Summary
Ticks belong to the phylum Arthropoda and make up the largest collection of species in the order Acarina. Ticks are the most important ecto-parasites of livestock in tropical and sub-tropical areas and cause great economic losses in several ways including thetransmission of diseases, causing paralysis or toxicosis and physical damage to livestock (Klompen et al, 1996; Snelson, 1975). The major losses attributable to ticks are due to their ability to transmit protozoan, rickettsial and viral diseases of livestock (Frans, 2000). Tickborne protozoan diseases (e.g. theileriosis and babesiosis) and rickettsial diseases (e.g.anaplasmosis and cowdriosis) and tick-associated dermatophilos is are major health and management issues of livestock in many developing countries. Epidemiological Study on Ticks in Farm Animals in Sri Lanka
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