Skip to main content
Log in

Population dynamics of ticks on indigenous cattle in a pastoral dry to semi-arid rangeland zone of Uganda

  • Published:
Experimental & Applied Acarology Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

Studies on seasonality and population dynamics of ticks on indigenous cattle and their crosses (calves) were carried out in Buruli Ranching Scheme, Nabiswera, Luwero district of Uganda on three treatment groups of animals: group 1 (twice a week dipping), group 2 (once a month dipping) and group 3 (no tick control). During this study, four major species of ticks of economic importance were recorded in decreasing order of abundance: Rhipicephalus appendiculatus, Rhipicephalus evertsi evertsi, Amblyomma variegatum and Boophilus decoloratus. Of these ticks, a seasonal pattern of activity was only observed in R. appendiculatus ticks, with peak activities occurring during rainy seasons. Greater numbers of ticks were recorded on cows than calves in the three treatment groups, with the exception of A. variegatum where the reverse occurred. The mean numbers of ticks per animal were highly significantly different (p < 0.01) when group 1 animals were compared with group 2 and 3 animals. However, no significant differences (p > 0.05) were observed in mean tick numbers between group 2 and 3 animals. Highly significant differences (p < 0.01) were observed in mean tick numbers on cows and calves (more than 12 months old) in different calving seasons. The state of lactation only affected tick counts on cows in group 1; significantly more ticks (p < 0.01) were observed in lactating than non-lactating cows. Furthermore, significantly greater (p < 0.05) numbers of ticks (with the exception of B. decoloratus) were recorded during the second year of study (March 1992–May 1993) than the first year (January 1991–February 1992), despite lower rainfall during the former period. © Rapid Science Ltd. 1998

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Similar content being viewed by others

REFERENCES

  • Amoo, A.O.J. 1984. Field and laboratory studies on the bionomics of Boophilus decoloratus (Koch, 1840) and Boophilus geigyi (Aeschlimann and Morvel, 1965). PhD thesis, University of Ibadan, Nigeria.

    Google Scholar 

  • Barnett, S.F. and Bailey, K.P. 1955. A field survey of East Coast fever and calf mortality in an enzootic ECF area. In Annual report of East African Veterinary Organization (1952–55), pp. 51-62. Authority Zenith Printing Works Limited, Nairobi.

    Google Scholar 

  • Bonsma, J.C. 1981. Breeding tick-repellent cattle. In Tick biology and control: Proceedings of an International Conference Held in Grahamstown, 27–29 January, 1981, G.B. Whitehead and J.D. Gibson (eds), pp. 67-77. Tick Research Unit, Rhodes University, Grahamstown.

    Google Scholar 

  • De Castro, J.J. and Newson, R.M. 1993. Host resistance in cattle tick control. Parasitol. Today 9(1): 13-17.

    Google Scholar 

  • Dipeolu, O.O. 1989. Research on ticks of livestock in Africa: review of the trends, advances and milestones in tick biology and ecology in the decade 1980–1989. Insect Sci. Appl. 10(6): 723-740.

    Google Scholar 

  • Dipeolu, O.O., Amoo, A.O.J. and Akinboade, O.A. 1991. Studies on ticks of veterinary importance in Nigeria. Intrinsic factors influencing oviposition and egg-hatch of Amblyomma variegatum under natural conditions. Folia Parasitol. (Praha) (FZT), 38(1): 63-74.

    Google Scholar 

  • Fivaz, B.H. and de Waal, D.T. 1993. Towards strategic control of ticks in the eastern Cape Province of South Africa. Trop. Animal Health Product. 25: 131-143.

    Google Scholar 

  • Harvey, W.R. 1977. User's Guide for Least-Squares and Maximum Likelihood Computer Program. Ohio State University, Columbia.

    Google Scholar 

  • Kaiser, M.N., Sutherst, R.W. and Bourne, A.S. 1982. Relationship between ticks and zebu cattle in southern Uganda. Trop. Animal Health Product. 14: 63-74.

    Google Scholar 

  • Kaiser, M.N., Sutherst, R.W. and Bourne, A.S. 1991. Tick (Acarina: Ixodidae) infestations on zebu cattle in northern Uganda. Bull. Entomol. Res. 81: 257-262.

    Google Scholar 

  • Langdale-Brown, I., Osmaston, H.W. and Wilson, J.G. (1964). The Vegetation of Uganda and its Bearing on Land Use. Uganda Government Printer, Entebbe.

    Google Scholar 

  • Lightfoot, C.J. and Norval, R.A.I. 1981. Tick problems in wildlife in Zimbabwe. 1. The effects of tick parasites on wild ungulates. S. Afr. J. Wildlife Res. 11: 41-45.

    Google Scholar 

  • McEwan, T. 1981. Report on Manual Dipwash Analysis. Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations, Rome.

    Google Scholar 

  • Matthysse, J.G. and Colbo, M.H. 1987. The Ixodid Ticks of Uganda. Entomological Society of America, College Park, MD.

    Google Scholar 

  • Norval, R.A.I. and Lightfoot, C.J. 1982. Tick problems in wildlife in Zimbabwe. Factors influencing the occurrence and abundance of Rhipicephalus appendiculatus. Zimbabwe Vet. J. 13: 11-20.

    Google Scholar 

  • Norval, R.A.I. and Perry, B.D. 1990. The introduction and subsequent disappearance of the brown ear-tick Rhipicephalus appendiculatus, from the southern lowveld of Zimbabwe. Exp. Appl. Acarol. 9: 103-111.

    Google Scholar 

  • Norval, R.A.I., Perry, B.D. and Young, A.S. 1992. The Epidemiology of Theileriosis in Africa. Academic Press, London.

    Google Scholar 

  • Okello-Onen, J. 1995. Tick population dynamics and the impact of tick control on the productivity of indigenous cattle under ranch conditions in Uganda. PhD thesis, Makerere University, Kampala.

    Google Scholar 

  • Pegram, R.G., James, A.D., Oosterwijk, G.P.M., Killorn, K.J., Lemche, J., Ghirotti, M., Tekle, Z., Chizyuka, H.G.B., Mwase, E.T. and Chizyuka, F. 1991. Studies on the economics of ticks in Zambia. Exp. Appl. Acarol. 12: 9-26.

    Google Scholar 

  • Punyua, D.K. and Hassan, S.M. 1992. The role of host management in tick population changes on Rusinga Island, Kenya. Exp. Appl. Acarol. 14: 61-65.

    Google Scholar 

  • Rechav, Y. 1982. Dynamics of tick populations (Acari:Ixodoidea) in the Eastern Cape Province of South Africa. J. Med. Entomol. 19: 679-700.

    Google Scholar 

  • Smith, M.W. 1969. Variations in tick species and populations in the Bugisu District of Uganda. Part II. The effects of altitude, climate, vegetation and husbandry on tick species and populations. Bull. Epizoo. Dis. Afr. 17: 77-105.

    Google Scholar 

  • Sutherst, R.W., Wharton, R.H., Cook, I.M., Sutherland, I.D. and Bourne, A.S. 1979. Long-term population studies on the cattle tick (Boophilus microplus) on untreated cattle selected for different levels of tick resistance. Aust. J. Agricult. Res. 30: 353-368.

    Google Scholar 

  • Sutherst, R.W., Floyd, R.B., Bourne, A.S. and Dallwitz, M.J. 1986. Cattle grazing behaviour regulates tick populations. Experientia 42: 194-196.

    Google Scholar 

  • Tatchell, R.J. and Easton, E. 1986. Tick (Acari: Ixodidae) ecological studies in Tanzania. Bull. Entomol. Res. 76: 229-246.

    Google Scholar 

  • Wagland, B.M., Roberts, J.A. and Sutherst, R.W. 1979. Growth of Haemaphysalis longicornis (k) on cattle. Int. J. Parasitol. 9: 177-182.

    Google Scholar 

  • Wharton, R.H. and Utech, K.B.W. 1970. The relation between the engorgement and dropping of Boophilus microplus (Canestrini) (Ixodidae) to the assessment of tick numbers on cattle. J. Aust. Entomol. Soc. 9: 171-182.

    Google Scholar 

  • Yeoman, G.H. 1966. Field vector studies of epizootic East Coast fever. II. Seasonal studies of Rhipicephalus appendiculatus on bovine and non-bovine hosts in East Coast fever enzootic, epizootic and free zones. Bull. Epizoo. Dis. Afr. 14: 113-140.

    Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

Authors

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Okello-Onen, J., Tukahirwa, E., Perry, B. et al. Population dynamics of ticks on indigenous cattle in a pastoral dry to semi-arid rangeland zone of Uganda. Exp Appl Acarol 23, 79–88 (1999). https://doi.org/10.1023/A:1006058317111

Download citation

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1023/A:1006058317111

Navigation