Pattern of tick infestation on one humped camels (<i>Camelus dromedarius</i>) in Sokoto, Nigeria

Abstract

The pattern of tick infestation in one humped camels (Camelus dromedarius) was assessed in Sokoto metropolitan abattoir, Sokoto State, Nigeria where an average of 10 to 15 camels were slaughtered per day on an open concrete slaughter slab. A total of 200 randomly selected camels made up of 124 males and 76 females were aged by dentition determination technique and examined for tick infestations between February and September, 2015. All the camels examined in this study were infested with at least one species of ticks with some mixed infestations. Hyalomma species is the most common tick genus found on camels of both sexes; where it accounted for 73.4% and 71.1% of male and female camels respectively. In all, Hyalomma species accounted for 72.5% while Amblyomma variegatum, Boophilus decoloratus and Rhipicephalus sanguineus accounted for 20.0%, 14.0% and 19.0% respectively. Hyalomma species is also the most common genus found on camels of all age groups and accounted for 75.4% in 1 to 6 years age group, 70.9% in 7 to 12 age group and 71.4% in 13 to 18 age group. The species of Hyalomma identified in the study included Hyalomma dromedarii (50.7%), H. rufipes (17.0%), H. impeltatum (17.5%) and H. truncatum (14.8%). Prevalence of infestation was not seasonal, as ticks were found on the camels during the dry and wet seasons of the study period, with higher tick burden in the wet season. It was concluded that untreated tick-infested camel herds may pose a public health hazard to other animals and man in the environment; hence they should be factored into consideration during control programmes of ticks on other livestock animals.

Keywords: Camels, Pattern, Sokoto, Tick infestation