Abstract
Several ixodid tick species are shared between domestic cattle and African buffaloes (Syncerus caffer). So too, are a number of tick-borne diseases. The aim of the study was to compare the species composition of ticks that infest cattle and buffaloes utilising the same habitat within the Tsavo Conservation Area, Kenya. To this end, 25 cattle and 62 buffaloes were each opportunistically sampled for ticks on a single occasion in February 2010. Eight species, namely Amblyomma gemma, Amblyomma lepidum, Hyalomma albiparmatum, Hyalomma rufipes, Hyalomma truncatum, Rhipicephalus evertsi evertsi, Rhipicephalus pravus and Rhipicephalus pulchellus infested both cattle and buffaloes. Three species, Rhipicephalus (Boophilus) sp., Rhipicephalus kochi, and Rhipicephalus muehlensi were collected only from cattle, and three species, Hyalomma impeltatum, Rhipicephalus humeralis and Rhipicephalus praetextatus were present only on buffaloes. The attachment sites of the various tick species were also recorded. New locality records for H. impeltatum and H. truncatum and the first confirmed locality record for Rhipicephalus praetextatus sensu stricto in Kenya were documented.
Highlights
Several ixodid tick species are shared between domestic cattle and African buffaloes (Syncerus caffer)
The tick species that infest cattle and African buffaloes in Kenya and in the Eastern Cape Province of South Africa have been meticulously recorded (Horak 1999; Horak et al 2007; Walker 1974), to our knowledge no surveys have been done on the ticks that occur on these animals in a common habitat
The results indicate that a large number of tick species, of which the adults may infest cattle and/or buffaloes, are present in the Tsavo Conservation Area
Summary
Ticks (Acari: Ixodidae) infesting cattle and African buffaloes in the Tsavo conservation area, Kenya. The adults of a large number of ixodid tick species infest both domestic cattle and African buffaloes (Syncerus caffer) in Kenya as well as elsewhere in Africa (Horak 1999; Horak, Golezardy & Uys 2007; Londt, Horak & De Villiers 1979; Walker 1974). The objectives of the present study were to identify and compare the species of ticks that infest cattle and African buffaloes sharing the same habitat within the greater Tsavo Conservation Area in south-eastern Kenya. Walker (1974) lists 25 confirmed records of collections of Hyalomma rufipes from cattle in Kenya and five from buffaloes In this survey, six cattle and 31 buffaloes were infested and ticks were recovered from the upper perineum and tail of cattle and from the ears, legs, lower perineum and the tail of buffaloes. These attachment sites agree with those recorded by Londt et al (1979). Walker (1974) reports 31 confirmed records of Hyalomma truncatum in 892 collections from cattle
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
