In Uganda, the role of ticks in zoonotic disease transmission is not well described, partly, due to limited available information on tick diversity. This study aimed to identify the tick species that infest cattle. Between September and November 2017, ticks ( n = 4362) were collected from 5 districts across Uganda (Kasese, Hoima, Gulu, Soroti, and Moroto) and identified morphologically at Uganda Virus Research Institute. Morphological and genetic validation was performed in Germany on representative identified specimens and on all unidentified ticks. Ticks were belonging to 15 species: 8 Rhipicephalus species ( Rhipicephalus appendiculatus , Rhipicephalus evertsi evertsi , Rhipicephalus microplus , Rhipicephalus decoloratus , Rhipicephalus afranicus , Rhipicephalus pulchellus , Rhipicephalus simus , and Rhipicephalus sanguineus tropical lineage); 5 Amblyomma species ( Amblyomma lepidum , Amblyomma variegatum , Amblyomma cohaerens , Amblyomma gemma , and Amblyomma paulopunctatum ); and 2 Hyalomma species ( Hyalomma rufipes and Hyalomma truncatum ). The most common species were R. appendiculatus (51.8%), A. lepidum (21.0%), A. variegatum (14.3%), R. evertsi evertsi (8.2%), and R. decoloratus (2.4%) . R. afranicus is a new species recently described in South Africa and we report its presence in Uganda for the first time. The sequences of R. afranicus were 2.4% divergent from those obtained in Southern Africa. We confirm the presence of the invasive R. microplus in two districts (Soroti and Gulu). Species diversity was highest in Moroto district ( p = 0.004) and geographical predominance by specific ticks was observed ( p = 0.001). The study expands the knowledge on tick fauna in Uganda and demonstrates that multiple tick species with potential to transmit several tick-borne diseases including zoonotic pathogens are infesting cattle.

Morphological abnormalities in ticks seem to be rare phenomena in nature, and are underreported in Africa. In this article, we describe general and local anomalies in two Amblyomma lepidum females and one Rhipicephalus decoloratus female collected from cattle in Moroto and Kasese districts, Uganda. One A. lepidum specimen displayed metagynander gynandromorphism with the presence of both male and female features in the same organism. The second A. lepidum female showed slight asymmetry and lacked a genital aperture. The R. decoloratus displayed multiple anomalies that included asymmetry on the right side in association with ectromely, chitinous formations and constrictions on the left side. This article presents the first report of metagynander gynandromorphism, as well as genital aperture absence which is not linked to gynandromorphism, in A. lepidum collected from cattle.

Background: Ticks and tick-borne diseases (TTBDs) are a significant threat to livestock production in sub-Saharan Africa. Transhumance pastoralism practiced in Karamoja region and other factors like cattle trade, communal grazing and the presence of wildlife predispose cattle to TTBDs. Tick species abundance and distribution data can be used as a tool for early disease diagnosis and inform tick control strategies. However, these data for north-eastern Uganda are currently limited; previous surveys were relatively localized and did not consider the effect of seasonality on tick abundance. Methods: We randomly collected tick specimens from 1,534 cattle spread across Karamoja region in both the rainy and the dry seasons. The ticks were identified using morpho-taxonomic keys and the tick species identities confirmed by the 16S rRNA gene sequencing and phylogenetic analysis. Results: A collection of 18,637 ticks was examined and 15 tick species from three genera (10 Rhipicephalus; 3 Amblyomma; 2 Hyaloma species) were identified. Rhipicephalus appendiculatus was the most dominant (37.9%) tick specie, followed by Amblyomma variegatum (32.3%); A. lepidum (17.3%); R. evertsi evertsi (7.8%); and R. decoloratus (1.4%). Eight of these tick species were ubiquitous in the study districts while six were found in isolated areas. The dry season was associated with a higher proportion of tick-infested cattle (91%) compared to the rainy season (89.8%); a difference that we did not find statistically significant (χ2 = 0.5077, n = 1385, p = 0.476). The overall cattle infestation rate was mainly dominated by 5 tick species namely: A. variegatum (55%), R. appendiculatus (53%), A. lepidum (41%), R. Evertsi (22%), and R. Decoloratus (8%). Napak and Amudat districts registered the highest (95.4% and 94.9%) and lowest (80.9% and 80.7%) cattle tick infestation rates during the rainy and dry seasons respectively. Rhipicephalus microplus was confirmed in Amudat, Kaabong and Napak districts. Conclusion: This study demonstrates high cattle tick infestation rates by a battery of tick species in Karamoja region. We identified both R. microplus and R. decoloratus which indicates that R. microplus has recently been introduced in this region. This calls for effective tick control responses to prevent further spread of this invasive cattle tick specie.

Background Ticks and tick-borne diseases (TTBDs) are a significant threat to livestock production in sub-Saharan Africa. Transhumance pastoralism practiced in Karamoja region and other factors like cattle trade, communal grazing and the presence of wildlife predispose cattle to TTBDs. Tick species abundance and distribution data can be used as a tool for early disease diagnosis and inform tick control strategies. However, these data for north-eastern Uganda are currently limited; previous surveys were relatively localized and targeted fewer cattle kraals and numbers.Methods We randomly collected tick specimens from 1,534 cattle spread across Karamoja region in both the peak month of the rainy (May) and the dry (February) seasons. The ticks were identified using morpho-taxonomic keys and the tick species identities confirmed by the 16S rRNA gene sequencing and phylogenetic analysis.Results A collection of 18,637 ticks was examined and 15 tick species from three genera (10 Rhipicephalus; 3 Amblyomma; 2 Hyaloma species) were identified. Rhipicephalus appendiculatus was the most dominant (37.9%) tick specie, followed by Amblyomma variegatum (32.3%); A. lepidum (17.3%); R. evertsi evertsi (7.8%); and R. decoloratus (1.4%). Eight of these tick species were ubiquitous in the study districts while six were found in isolated areas. The peak month of the dry season collection was associated with a higher proportion of tick-infested cattle (91%) compared to the peak month of the rainy season (89.8%); a difference that we did not find statistically significant (χ2 = 0.5077, n = 1385, p = 0.476). The overall cattle infestation rate was mainly dominated by 5 tick species namely: A. variegatum (55%), R. appendiculatus (53%), A. lepidum (41%), R. Evertsi (22%), and R. Decoloratus (8%). Napak and Amudat districts registered the highest (95.4% and 94.9%) and lowest (80.9% and 80.7%) cattle tick infestation rates during the peak months of the rainy and dry seasons respectively. Rhipicephalus microplus was confirmed in Amudat, Kaabong and Napak districts.Conclusion This study demonstrates high cattle tick infestation rates by a battery of tick species in Karamoja region. We identified both R. microplus and R. decoloratus which indicates that R. microplus has recently been introduced in this region. This calls for effective tick control responses to prevent further spread of this invasive cattle tick specie.