Ixodid Ticks (Arachnida: Acari) Prevalence Associated with Risk Factors in the Bovine Host in District Quetta, Balochistan
Ixodid Ticks (Arachnida: Acari) Prevalence Associated with Risk Factors in the Bovine Host in District Quetta, Balochistan
Nosheen Rafiq1, Asmatullah Kakar2,*, Arshad Ghani3, Asim Iqbal2, Wali Mohammad Achakzai2, Shagufta Sadozai2, Mohammad Shafiq4 and Mohammad Alam Mengal5
ABSTRACT
The present study aimed at determining the hard tick species and their abundance with respect to host-related risk factors in Bos permiginu s cattlewas conducted in farm houses at three main regions (Western by-pass, Spiny village, and Sariab region) of District Quetta from March, 2013 to March, 2014. Around 1649 ticks were captured from six main body parts of 404 cattle. Of these 346 (65.96%) were observed to be plagued by one or more tick infestation. Compositions of tick species captured from the host were Hyalomma anatolicum anatolicum (33.39%), followed by Dermacenter andersoni (31.76%), Hyalomma aegyptium (26.16%), and Boophilus microplus (8.67%). The risk factor like sex and age of cattle did not demonstrate enormous relationship with the infestation ratio but rather there was relationship with both breeds and body conditions. The commonness of tick infestation in medium body condition (92.9%), poor body condition (57.44%), and good body condition (87.39%) was observed to be significant at P-value (P < 0.01) among the three body. Analysis of sex wise tick counting with age of animals revealed positive and significant correlation (P = 0.1145, P < 0.05). The ratio of tick infestation was observed to be insignificant (P < 0.01) among the breeds, with most elevated prepotency in local (88.97%) and cross breeds (13.33%), respectively.
To share on other social networks, click on any share button. What are these?
December 2017
Vol. 49, Iss. 6, Pages 1937-2341
