An update on the ecological distribution of the Ixodidae ticks in Zimbabwe

Abstract

In total 7 567 were collected from 121 dip tanks in 12 districts representative of Zimbabwe's five ecological regions between September 2013 and May 2014. Based on morphological traits four genera and 13 species of ticks were identified. Amblyomma hebraeum (60.3%), Rhipicephalus microplus (58.7%), Rhipicephalus decoloratus (47.1%), Rhipicephalus appendiculatus (56.2%), Rhipicephalus evertsi evertsi (67.8%), Rhipicephalus (near) punctatus (13.2%), Hyalomma truncatum (38%) and Hyalomma rufipes (46.3%) were found in all the ecological regions of the country. Amblyomma variegatum and Rhipicephalus compositus (0.8%) were only found in the north central part of the country while Rhipicephalus simus (5%) had a sparse distribution. The Haemaphysalis leachi group (1.7%) and Rhipicephalus sanguineus (1.7%) were found whenever dogs were sampled suggesting these could be widespread throughout the country. The study confirmed the continued limited distribution of Amblyomma variegatum (3.3%) in the north central parts of the country, whereas A. hebraeum was found to have a wide distribution also encroaching areas of high rainfall and lower temperatures where it was not previously recorded. A parapatric relationship existed between these two Amblyomma species. Rhipicephalus appendiculatus was also widely distributed although its presence was dominant in the cooler and wetter parts of the country. The traditionally held view that Hyalomma species and R. evertsi evertsi can survive well under diverse conditions is upheld in this study. Rhipicephalus microplus was also present in dry regions but its adaptability to these regions requires further investigation.

Molecular screening of ticks for the presence of Rickettsia species: A public health concern

“…In this study, the most abundant tick species was R. evertsi evertsi and it has also been previously reported by Sungirai et al [53] and Mediannikov et al [54] to be one of the most prevalent ticks that parasitize both domestic and wild animals. There are scanty reports on the ability of this species to transmit diseases in both humans and animal.…”

Communal farmers’ perceptions of tick-borne diseases affecting cattle and investigation of tick control methods practiced in Zimbabwe

“…The epidemiology of these diseases has been studied in the past (Katsande et al, 1999a;Latif et al, 2001;Norval et al, 1984a;Peter et al, 1998). Tick-borne diseases are responsible for more than 60% of all cattle mortalities in the country (Sungirai et al, 2015). This has led to the government playing a central role in tick control programs in communal areas and A1 resettlement areas, where they co-ordinate the purchase and supply of acaricides.…”

Driving forces for changes in geographic range of cattle ticks (Acari: Ixodidae) in Africa: A review

“…(B.) microplus in South Africa (Tønnesen et al, 2004;Horak et al, 2009;Nyangiwe et al, 2013a;Nyangiwe et al, 2017), Tanzania (Lynen et al, 2008), Zimbabwe (Smeenk et al, 2000;Sungirai et al, 2015) and West Africa (Madder et al, 2007(Madder et al, , 2012Adakal et al, 2013) is one such example. Recently, farmers encountered tick resistance to the use of acaricide in Burkina Faso, Mali and Togo.…”

“…) microplus (Barré & Uilenberg, 2010). In Zimbabwe, A. variegatum is colonizing territories in which it was not found previously (Estrada-Peña et al, 2008;Sungirai et al, 2015). However, numerous studies have shown that cattle with smooth light-coloured short-hair coats (Nguni and Boran breeds) tend to have lower tick infestations than those with rough darker-coloured long-hair coats (Martinez et al, 2006;Muchenje et al, 2008;Katiyatiya et al, 2014).…”