TY  - JOUR
T1  - Prevalence and Identification of Major Tick Species of Small Ruminant in and Around Arba
Minch, Ethiopia
AU - Kassa, G. Fentaye AU - Merid, Kalkidan AU - Amenu, Kindiye 
JO  - Veterinary Research
VL  - 13
IS  - 4
SP  - 47
EP  - 52
PY  - 2020
DA  - 2001/08/19
SN  - 1993-5412
DO  - vr.2020.47.52
UR  - https://makhillpublications.co/view-article.php?doi=vr.2020.47.52
KW  - Arba Minch
KW  -prevalence
KW  -risk factors
KW  -small ruminants
KW  -tick species
AB  - Tick infestations are the major animal health
constraints in small ruminant’s production and
contributing a great loss in their productivity. A
cross-sectional study was conducted from November
2019-May 2020 to determine the prevalence and to
identify major tick species of small ruminant in and
around Arba Minch. A total of 384 small ruminants (213
caprine and 171 ovine) were examined thoroughly for the
presence of tick. Identification of ticks was performed
using stereomicro scope and classified into different
genera and species based on standard tick identification
keys. The overall prevalence of tick infestation in the
study area was 28.1% (n = 108/384). The prevalence of
tick infestations in caprine and ovine was found to be
26.8% (n = 57/213) and 29.8% (n = 51/171), respectively.
Among anticipated risk factors only sex, body conditions
and management of the small ruminants showed
statistically significant associations (p<0.05). Four species
of ticks from each genera namely Rhipicephalus (<i>R.
evertsi evertsi</i>, <i>R. pulculles</i>, <i>R. guilhoni</i> and <i>R. annulatus</i>),
Amblyomma (<i>A. variegatum</i>, <i>A. gemma</i>, <i>A. coherence</i>
and <i>A.lepidum</i>) and Hyalomma (<i>H. truncatum</i>, <i>H.
marginatum</i>, <i>H. excavatum</i> and <i>H. rufipes</i>) were
identified in this study. In addition, a total of 774 ticks
were collected of which 520 and 254 were female and
male, respectively. In conclusion, diverse species
composition and prevalence of ticks were observed in
Arba Minch which impliestick infestations are the major
animal health constraints in small ruminant&#146;s production
and contributing a great loss in their productivity.
Therefore, appropriate acaricides should be applied to
infested small ruminant and to decrease effect of
infestations.
ER  -