Species composition, diversity and predilection sites of ticks (Acari: Ixodidae) infesting cattle in the Western Highlands of Cameroon

Ticks are haematophagous ectoparasites infesting wilds and domestic animals as well as humans and, are considered after mosquitoes to be the principal vectors for the transmission of various pathogens. The ixodid tick fauna remains poorly understood and the aim of the present study was to determine their species composition, species diversity and predilection sites as well as their relative frequency, infestation abundance and intensity of infestation amongst cattle in the Western Highlands of Cameroon. In present study, a total of 2348 ticks were collected both on 182 cattle and vegetation and identified at species level using a valid identification keys. Three life stages: adults (91.52%), nymphs (5.88%) and larvae (2.6%), four genera: Amblyomma (50.8%), Rhipicephalus (35.44%), Hyalomma (0.46%) and Haemaphysalis (5.24%) and nine species of ticks: Amblyomma variegatum (42.42%), Rhipicephalus (B) decoloratus (17.97%), Rhipicephalus (B) microplus (13.67%), Amblyomma hebraeum (8.4%), Hyalomma rufipes (8.05%), Haemaphysalis leachi (5.24%), Rhipicephalus sanguineus (2.47%), Rhipicephalus (B) annulatus (1.32%) and Hyalomma truncatum (0.46%) were found. The overall prevalence of infestation was 78.57%. Cattle with the poor body condition score (88.17%) were the most infested while the most infested sites of attachment were perineum (37.64%). The infestation abundance was assessed to 10.15 ticks per cattle. The intensity of infestation was assessed to 12.93 ticks per infested cattle and, the perineum (4.86 ticks/cattle) and Amblyomma variegatum (4.87 ticks/cattle) were respectively the body part and the species having the highest intensity burden. Simpson index (Ds) of dominance weighted towards the abundance of the commonest species Amblyomma variegatum (0.17), Rhipicephalus (B) decoloratus (0.03%) and Rhipicephalus (B) microplus (0.01%). The SHE analysis showed that cattle and vegetation were occupied by common species. These results have permitted to improve and update the knowledge on the status of ticks present in the Western Highlands of Cameroon and might help to build up the best control strategies.