Study of the Common Tick Species of Cattle in the North of Basrah Province

Abstract

      Two hundred and fifty samples of cattle of different ages and sexes are examined to identify tick infestations. in the north of Basrah  Province during the period of September 2020 to February 2021. (715) These samples collected from cattle randomly selected to identify tick infection and determine its genus and species, as well as to study the effect of a hard tick on sex, animal age, and the location of its infection .Samples were collected from nine regions of ( Al.Deyar , Majnoon Island, Muzayraa , AL.Shuaffiz , AL.Sharish , AL.Swaib , AL.Shafi , AL.Nashwa  and AL.Zarajee). The study revealed that there are differences in ratio of infection between the studied area where Al. dayer recorded a high ratio of infection which is (93.3%) and the least in Majnoon Island ( 60 %) , There was a significant difference (p≤0.05) in prevalence rate according to cattle genus which  females (88.2%) having a higher prevalence rate than males (62.5 %). It was observed that there were significant differences (p≤0.05) in infection rates of animal ages, with the highest percentage (84.4%) being in age less than two years old, as well as the lowest percentage (37.6%) to be in the age more than six years old . The study also revealed three types of ticks in cattle, including Hylomma Spp. have a prevalence rate of 44.02 %, Boophilus spp. have a prevalence rate of 32.5 %, and Rhipicephalus spp. have a prevalence rate of  (25.0%). the study showed that the hard ticks were a parasitic on external ear ,udder , perineum  and anal region than another part of the body in cattle . Finally, ticks are discarded because of their role in the transmission of diseases to animals, result in economic losses.