Preliminary survey of ticks (Acari : Ixodidae) on cattle in northern Sudan

Abstract

, the geographical distribution of ticks on cattle in the Sudan was determined. Seventeen locations were surveyed from Northern, Central, Eastern, Western, Blue Nile and White Nile Provinces. Total body collections of ticks were made from 20 cattle at each location. Four tick genera and 11 species were identified. The tick species collected included Amblyomma lepidum, Amblyomma variegatum, Boophilus decoloratus, Hyalomma anatolicum anatolicum, Hyalomma dromedarii, Hyalomma impeltatum, Hyalomma marginatum rufipes, Hyalomma truncatum, Rhipicephalus evertsi evertsi, Rhipicephalus sanguineus group and Rhipicephalus simus simus. Major ecological changes have occurred due to extensive animal movement, deforestation, desertification and establishment of large mechanized agricultural schemes. These factors have certainly affected the distribution of ticks and tick-borne diseases in the Sudan. The absence of A. variegatum and A. lepidum in northern Sudan was not surprising, since these tick species are known to survive in humid areas and not in the desert and semi-desert areas of northern Sudan. The absence of B. annulatus in northern and central Sudan is in accordance with the finding that this tick species is restricted to the southern parts of the central Sudan. The presence of H. anatolicum anatolicum in Um Benin in relatively high abundance is an interesting finding. The present finding may indicate that the southern limit of this species has changed and moved southwards to latitude 13° N. It is concluded that major changes in tick distribution have taken place in the Sudan.

Seasonal variation in coat characteristics, tick loads, cortisol levels, some physiological parameters and temperature humidity index on Nguni cows raised in low- and high-input farms

“…Rhipicephalus appendiculatus was absent from the study sites, although the specie was found in other areas of the Eastern Cape, as shown by other studies(Muchenje et al 2008a, b;Nyangiwe et al 2011;Marufu et al 2011b). Species variations in the current study were in line with the reports bySalih et al (2004),Gashaw and Tessema …”

Determination of potential risk factors associated with Theileria annulata and Theileria parva infections of cattle in the Sudan

“…The finding that Northern and Central Sudan had a high risk of infection with T. annulata could be justified by the fact that the principle tick vector H. anatolicum anatolicum is present in these regions as the predominant tick species all year round (Anonymous 1983;Salih et al 2004;Ahmed et al 2005). The same justification could apply to Eastern and Western Sudan and White Nile, where a low risk or no risk was reported and where the principle tick vector H. anatolicum anatolicum does not exist (Anonymous 1983;Salih et al 2004).…”

“…The same justification could apply to Eastern and Western Sudan and White Nile, where a low risk or no risk was reported and where the principle tick vector H. anatolicum anatolicum does not exist (Anonymous 1983;Salih et al 2004). The antibodies profile was found to increase significantly with advance in age, and thus the age of the animal could be a risk factor for acquisition of the infection.…”

Theileria lestoquardi in Sudan is highly diverse and genetically distinct from that in Oman

“…Grazing is limited to seasonal watercourses and low-lying areas following sporadic rain showers. Hyalomma anatolicum ticks have been detected in the River Nile state, where 74 % of the ticks feeding on sheep were found to be H. anatolicum (Salih et al, 2004;Ahmed et al, 2005).…”