Abstract
Simple SummaryTicks, as blood feeders and vectors of many diseases, can negatively impact livestock and human health, with potential economic impacts on the livestock industry. In this study, we documented the occurrence of four tick species (Hyalomma dromedarii, Hyalomma anatolicum, Rhipicephalus sanguineus, and Amblyomma lepidum) on camels, cows, sheep, and goats from three areas in the United Arab Emirates (UAE). Our findings indicated that H. dromedarii was the most prevalent tick species on camels. The other tick species were present at varying levels on hosts. Some of the tick species collected in this study are potential carriers of tick-borne diseases that are serious and sometimes fatal to humans and animals. Thus, there is a need for more research on ticks and tick-borne diseases in the UAE.Ticks are important arthropod vectors that serve as reservoirs of pathogens. Rapid urbanization and changes in animal breeding practices could be causing a rise in tick burden on animals. Studies on tick distribution on livestock and tick molecular diversity from the United Arab Emirates (UAE) are limited. The aim of this study was to (i) provide molecular and morphological identification of tick species, (ii) compare tick infestation between different hosts, (iii) compare tick infestation in relation to the sex of the host, and (iv) assess the prevalence of tick species on hosts. A total of 5950 ticks were collected from camels (4803 ticks), cows (651 ticks), goats (219 ticks), and sheep (277 ticks). Ticks were identified based on morphological characters at the species level using taxonomic keys. In addition, Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) amplification of the cytochrome oxidase subunit 1 (cox1) and 16S rRNA mitochondrial genes was used to identify ticks. Four species were confirmed based on molecular and morphological characterization, namely, Hyalomma dromedarii, Hyalomma anatolicum, Rhipicephalus sanguineus, and Amblyomma lepidum. Hyalomma dromedarii (94.3%) was the most abundant species, followed by H. anatolicum (32.8%). Camels were heavily infested (94%) with ticks as compared to cows (38%), sheep (37%), and goats (14%). Widespread occurrence of these four tick species in the UAE poses a risk of spreading tick-borne pathogens wherever the conditions of infection prevail.
Highlights
Hard ticks (Acari: Ixodoidea) are significant ectoparasites of livestock and transmit many pathogens of concern to public health and veterinarians in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region [1,2]
Four species of ticks in three genera, namely, H. dromedarii, H. anatolicum, A. lepidum and R. sanguineus were identified based on morphology
The identification of H. dromedarii was confirmed based on the following diagnostic characteristics: the sub-anal plates were aligned outside the adanal plates in male ticks (Figure 2); the central festoon was pale colored; cervical and lateral grooves reached up to 2/3 the length of the conscutum; the marginal grooves were short and furrow-like; the paramedian grooves were well defined and large; the posteromedian groove reached the parma; the cervical grooves were very deep; the dorsal posterior margin of the basis capituli was deeply concave; the dorsal prolongation of spiracular plates were long and narrow; and the posterolateral spurs were longer than the posteromedian spur and they were tapered at the apices
Summary
Hard ticks (Acari: Ixodoidea) are significant ectoparasites of livestock and transmit many pathogens of concern to public health and veterinarians in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region [1,2]. They are second to mosquitoes in significance as disease vectors [3] and are responsible for substantial economic, social, and conservation losses due to their harmful effects on human and animal health [4]. Livestock are imported annually in large numbers from countries such as Sudan, Somalia, Turkey, Argentina, Pakistan, Australia, Iran, India, and Uruguay to Saudi Arabia and the UAE. Most CCHF virus-infected animals in this outbreak were imported from Somalia, with fewer numbers of infected animals possibly arriving from Iran [7]. Monitoring tick infestations of imported animals is an important priority
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