Relationships between tick counts and coat characteristics in Nguni and Bonsmara cattle reared on semiarid rangelands in South Africa

Marufu, Munyaradzi Christopher; Qokweni, Luxolo; Chimonyo, M.; Dzama, K.

doi:10.1016/j.ttbdis.2011.07.001

Cited by 74 publications

(64 citation statements)

References 16 publications

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“…Cortisol (r= 0.07) and hair length (r=-0.16) of the cows were correlated with THI in the locations. Hair length (r=0.14) was correlated (2010), Marufu et al (2011b) and Lorusso et al (2013) who argued that agro-ecological differences influenced tick distribution and prevalence. Further observations in the study showed more prevalent ticks along the humid-coastal areas which provided good Location WBC (10 9 /L) NEUT (10 9 /L) LYMP (10 9 /L) MON (10 9 /L) EOS (10 9 /L) BAS (10 9 /L) Wesonga et al (2006), Muchenje et al (2008a) and Nonga et al (2012), who found cattle to have more ticks during the hot-wet, warm-wet or rainy season.…”

Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 99%

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

2014

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Seasonal variations in hair length, tick loads, cortisol levels, haematological parameters (HP) and temperature humidity index (THI) in Nguni cows of different colours raised in two low-input farms, and a commercial stud was determined. The sites were chosen based on their production systems, climatic characteristics and geographical locations. Zazulwana and Komga are low-input, humid-coastal areas, while Honeydale is a high-input, dry-inland Nguni stud farm. A total of 103 cows, grouped according to parity, location and coat colour, were used in the study. The effects of location, coat colour, hair length and season were used to determine tick loads on different body parts, cortisol levels and HP in blood from Nguni cows. Highest tick loads were recorded under the tail and the lowest on the head of each of the animals (P < 0.05). Zazulwana cows recorded the highest tick loads under the tails of all the cows used in the study from the three farms (P < 0.05). High tick loads were recorded for cows with long hairs. Hair lengths were longest during the winter season in the coastal areas of Zazulwana and Honeydale (P < 0.05). White and brown-white patched cows had significantly longer (P < 0.05) hair strands than those having a combination of red, black and white colour. Cortisol and THI were significantly lower (P < 0.05) in summer season. Red blood cells, haematoglobin, haematocrit, mean cell volumes, white blood cells, neutrophils, lymphocytes, eosinophils and basophils were significantly different (P < 0.05) as some associated with age across all seasons and correlated to THI. It was concluded that the location, coat colour and season had effects on hair length, cortisol levels, THI, HP and tick loads on different body parts and heat stress in Nguni cows.

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Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 99%

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

2014

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“…Tick counts positively correlated to coat characteristics in cattle (Marufu, et al, 2011;Verissimo et al, 2002); and also it was observed that cattle with shorter and smoother coats carried lower tick counts (Marufu, et al, 2011). Generally it is believed that cattle breeds with short hairs exposed the ticks to harmful climatic conditions and to predators like birds (Tatchell, 1987;Taylor, 2006; Key: Marufa et al, 2011).…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Tick resistance of two breeds of cattle in Wolaita Zone, Southern Ethiopia

Sheferaw¹

2017

J. Vet. Med. Anim. Health

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The objective of this study was to evaluate total tick burden and resistance differences of local indigenous breeds and Holstein-crosses (50%). Longitudinal study method was employed to assess the mean monthly half-body regions of total tick burdens. The mean monthly half body regions of total tick count on local indigenous cattle and Holstein-crosses (50%) were 75.2 and 201.7, respectively. The monthly mean half-body region of total tick count on the Holstein-crosses (50%) was significantly (p<0.05) higher than that of the indigenous breed throughout the study months. From 4425 collected adult ticks, Boophilus decoloratus (47.50%), Amblyomma gemma (21.06%), Amblyomma variegatum (18.31%), Amblyomma cohaerens (4.97%), Amblyomma lepidum (3.75%), Rhipicephalus evertsi evertsi (2.87%), Rhipicephalus muhsamae (0.79%) and Rhipicephalus guilhoni (0.75%) were the tick species identified in descending order. Among the tick species identified, seasonal variation was observed in four species, namely: A. variegatum, A. gemma, A. lepidum and R. evertsi evertsi. Animal health extension especially on tick control strategy should be in place in order to improve animal productivity.

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“…Although the ecotypes tend to have specific phenotypes with regard to colour and body and or head conformation, genetic differentiation has not been confirmed. Studies to date has confirmed adaptability traits (Marufu et al 2011(Marufu et al , 2014 of the Nguni and identified genomic regions underlying tick resistance (Mapholi et al 2015). In this study the focus was on the genetic diversity and population structure of the known and unknown ecotypes based on microsatellite markers.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…It is recognised as an important animal genetic resource possessing valuable adaptive traits resulting in a breed that can survive and reproduce efficiently in marginal production areas (Mapiye et al 2007;Matjuda et al 2014). Nguni cattle are not only able to tolerate harsh environmental conditions but also have natural immunity to tick-borne diseases and parasites that could limit livestock production (Marufu et al 2011;.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Genetic diversity in South African Nguni cattle ecotypes based on microsatellite markers

Sanarana

Visser

Bosman

et al. 2015

Trop Anim Health Prod

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The Nguni cattle breed is a landrace breed adapted to different ecological regions of South Africa. A number of ecotypes are recognised based on phenotype within the breed, but it is not known if they are genetically distinct. In this study molecular characterization was performed on Makhathini (MAK), Pedi (PED), Shangaan (SHA) and Venda (VEN) Nguni cattle ecotypes. Two Nguni cattle populations, not kept as separate ecotypes, from University of Fort Hare (UFH) and Agricultural Research Council Loskop South farm (LOS) were also included. Genotypic data was generated for 189 unrelated Nguni cattle selected based on pedigree records using 22 microsatellite markers. The expected heterozygosity values varied from 69% (UFH) to 72% PED with a mean number of alleles ranging from 6.0 to 6.9. The F ST estimate demonstrated that 4.8% of the total genetic variation was due to the genetic differentiation between the populations and 92.2% accounted for differences within the populations. The genetic distances and structure analysis revealed the closest relationship between MAK, PEDI and SHA ecotypes, followed by SHA and VEN. The UFH population clustered with the MAK ecotype, indicating that they are more genetically similar, while the LOS cattle grouped as a distinct cluster. Results suggest that the genetic differentiation between the PED and SHA ecotypes is low and can be regarded as one ecotype based on 2 limited genetic differences. The results of this study can be applied as a point of reference for further genetic studies towards conservation of Nguni cattle ecotypes.

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Relationships between tick counts and coat characteristics in Nguni and Bonsmara cattle reared on semiarid rangelands in South Africa

Cited by 74 publications

References 16 publications

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

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

Tick resistance of two breeds of cattle in Wolaita Zone, Southern Ethiopia

Genetic diversity in South African Nguni cattle ecotypes based on microsatellite markers

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