Abundance and diversity of ticks on cows in grazing areas in the Vina Division, Adamawa, Cameroon

Abstract

Ticks and the diseases they transmit pose a threat to livestock in Cameroon. This study, conducted from May 2022 to May 2024 with the aim of determining the abundance, diversity and prevalence of tick infestation in cows on semi-intensive farms in the Vina Division. 9,255 adult ticks were counted on 1,504 cows, and seven species belonging to four genera (Amblyomma, Hyalomma, Rhipicephalus and Rh. Boophilus) were identified. The most common species are A. variegatum, Hy. marginatum, Hy. truncatum, Rh. annulatus and Rh. appendiculatus (100%), while Rh.(Bo.) decoloratus (71.43%) and Rh.(Bo.) microplus (85.71%) are less common. Among these species, Rh. appendiculatus (A=36.18%), followed by A. variegatum (A=32.18%) are more abundant, while Rh.(Bo.) microplus is less represented (17.42%) (Z=3.35) and Hy. truncatum, Rh. annulatus are present in trace amounts (A= 5.99 and A= 0.15%; Z=7.59). The abundance of species varies between 10.08% in Maley and 18.76% in Manding; it is higher during the rainy season (A=31.26%) than during the dry season (A=02.98%) (P<0.000). The overall prevalence, estimated at 46.34%, is higher for infestations with Rh. appendiculatus (45.08%), followed by A. varigatum (41.29%), Rh. (Bo.) microplus (40.36%) and Hy. truncatum (30.45%), in the rainy season (50.32%) than in the dry season (42.13%) (p<0.000), in the localities of Bawa (57.87%), followed by Mayo Daneyel (53.47%), Manwi 1 (52.50%) and Manding (50.87%) (p<0.000). It is also higher in the Akou, Bokolo, Holstein and Montbéliard breeds (57.87%), followed by the Djafoun (53.47%) and Hybrids (94.26%). Similarly, in older cows as in heifers, those with a Body Condition Score ?3 followed by those = ]2 3], in pregnant cows (57.87%), lactating cows (53.47%), as well as those that are both lactating and pregnant (42.66%). The main risk factors are location, season, breed, age, Body Condition Score, and physiological status. This study can help improve appropriate strategies for controlling tick infestation in cows.