Study on the distribution of ixodid ticks of cattle in pastoral areas of Yabello district, Borana zone, Oromia, Ethiopia

Background: Ticks and tick-borne diseases cause major losses in the livestock economy. From both human and veterinary viewpoints, ticks are very important vectors. Methods and results: Thiscross-sectional research was conducted to study the prevalence, tick distribution, and related risk factors in the Borana pastoral region of the Yabello district, Oromia regional state, Ethiopia. A total of 445 cattle were examined for the presence of tick infestation collected from different body parts of the cattle and 89.89% (400/445) of indigenous cattle harbor a total of 7,778 adult ticks belonging to four different genera of ticks namely Rhipicephalus (78.31%). Amblyomma (13.46%). Boophilus (7.01%), and Hyalomma (1.22%). Besides, Rhipicephalus pulchellus (73.17%) and Amblyomma varigatum (7.57%) were among the most prevalent tick species identified whereas I lycdomma dromedari (0.08%) was found to be the least one. In this study, high proportions of ticks were collected from the head and ear (34.57%) followed by anus and vulva (29.47%), scrotum/udder (19.18%), dewlap and neck (8.77%), brisket (7.16%) and belly and back (0.85%). Moreover, a high proportion of Amblyommu species were collected from scrotum/udder (47.76%) and brisket (38.01%): Rhipicephalus species from head and ear (41.14%), anus and vulva (33.64%); I lycdomma species from scrotum/udder (41.05%), anus and vulva (28.42%) and dewlap and neck (20%) whereas most Boophilus species were collected from anus and vulva region (32.48%) and head and ear (31.19%). A statistically significant difference (P< 0.05) was observed among potential risk factors like age group being higher in adult animals and different kebeles such as Dhari to kebele and Dida Tuyoura ranch. Conclusion: The result of this survey indicates that economically important ticks are widespread throughout the study areas and their presence in abundance is alerting. To minimize losses attributed to ticks and tick-borne disease cost-effective control strategy should be designed. (C) 2021 The Authors. Published by Elsevier Ltd on behalf of World Federation of Parasitologists.