Volume 15, Issue 2: 2025 - Article 191

Abstract
Ticks are important ectoparasites of cattle globally. In tropical and subtropical regions of the world, ticks contribute significantly to economic losses through blood feeding and pathogen transmission. In Nigeria, ixodid ticks remain a major constraint to cattle health and productivity. This study investigated the prevalence, species composition and associated risk factors of ixodid tick infestation in cattle reared at selected Local Government Areas (LGAs) of Plateau State, Nigeria. A cross-sectional survey was conducted between April and June 2023 across five LGAs: Jos South, Jos North, Mangu, Barkin Ladi, and Pankshin. A total of 250 cattle were randomly sampled, and 970 adult ticks were collected through handpicking and the use of blunt forceps. The ticks were preserved in 70% ethanol and identified morphologically using taxonomic keys. Data analysis was done using R software, with regression and GLM models to identify risk associations. Six ixodid tick species belonging to three genera were recorded in the study. Amblyomma variegatum (a key vector of multiple veterinary and zoonotic pathogens) was the most prevalent species, accounting for 52.3% of all ticks, followed by Rhipicephalus (Boophilus) decoloratus (18.6%), Hyalomma impeltatum (16.5%), Hyalomma truncatum (7.9%), Rhipicephalus (Boophilus) annulatus (4.5%), and Hyalomma dromedarii (0.2%). Significant differences were observed in tick abundance across LGAs (p < 0.001), with Jos South recording the highest burden (31.8%) and Barkin Ladi the lowest (8.4%). Risk factors influencing tick abundance included herd mobility, acaricide application methods and tick handpicking frequency. Sedentary herds, less frequent tick handpicking and hand-spraying of acaricides were associated with higher tick loads. The dominance of A. variegatum, a major vector of Ehrlichia ruminantium and other pathogens, underscores the heightened risk of tick-borne diseases in the region. These findings emphasize the need for targeted tick control strategies, farmer education and enhanced surveillance to mitigate the risk of pathogen transmission and improve cattle productivity in Plateau State, Nigeria.

Keywords: Ixodid ticks infestation; Cattle; Epizootiological survey; Plateau State, Nigeria.

How to cite this article:
Bukar BM, Dogo GA, Ohaeri UC, Madubuike H, Karaye GP, Kparmark M, Maxwell DB and Goselle O (2025). Epizootiological survey and species composition of ixodid ticks infesting cattle in Plateau State, Nigeria: Dominance of Amblyomma variegatum and its implications for tick-borne disease risk. Journal of Veterinary and Applied Sciences, 15(2): 1059 – 1065.

*Correspondence: E-mail:     dogoa@unijos.edu.ng. gonidogo@gmail.com   Phone: +2348034501914

Epizootiological survey and species composition of ixodid ticks infesting cattle in Plateau State, Nigeria: Dominance of Amblyomma variegatum and its implications for tick-borne disease risk
Biallah M. Bukar ¹, Goni A. Dogo ^{1, 2,} *, Uchechukwu C. Ohaeri ², Henry Madubuike ³,
Gloria P. Karaye ¹, Mark Kparmark ⁴, Davwet B. Maxwell ^l and Obadiah Goselle <sup>5

1</sup> Department of Veterinary Parasitology and Entomology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Jos, Jos, Plateau State, Nigeria.
² Africa Centre of Excellence in Phytomedicine Research and Development (ACEPRD), University of Jos, Jos, Plateau State, Nigeria.
³ School of Science, Engineering and Environment, University of Salford, Manchester, United Kingdom
⁴ Office of Research and Development (ORD), University of Jos, Jos, Plateau State, Nigeria
⁵ Department of Zoology, Faculty of Natural Sciences, University of Jos, Jos, Plateau State, Nigeria.

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