Prevalence of tick infestations on Goudali and Bororo zebu cattle in Gabon

Abstract

The aim of the present study was to identify the species of ticks which infested cattle imported by Gabon from Cameroon, to assess the prevalence of these arthropods on their preferred sites. This study also sought to determine among the imported ticks those which adapt to the Gabonese environment.  A total of 156 cattle (Goudali and Bororo) aged between 5 and 6 years were evaluated by this study. The body of these animals was divided into 6 anatomical zones or predilection sites. Amblyomma variegatum (30.4%), Rhipicephalus decoloratus (65.2%), Rhipicephalus lunulatus (1.5%), Rhipicephalus simpsoni (0.6%), Hyalomma trucantum (2.1%) and Hyalomma impeltatum (0.2%) were the tick species identified during this study, the most abundant being Amblyomma variegatum and Rhipicephalus decoloratus. The abdomen was the site most significantly infested by ticks. No correlation existed between the number of tick species and the prevalence of infestations at tick-carrying sites, however there was a strongly positive correlation between the number of ticks and the infestation rates of preferred sites. Of all the species of ticks imported from Cameroon to Gabon, only Hyalomma truncatum and Hyalomma impeltatum are not capable of adapting to the hot and humid environment of Gabon because they usually live in arid and semi-arid zones. Conversely, Rhipicephalus lunulatus, a hygrophilous species but not present in the country, found an ideal living environment compatible to its life cycle.

Keysword : Cattle, Goudali, Bororo, ticks, Prevalence, Infestation, favorite sites, Gabon, Cameroun