Abstract

PEREZ-OTANEZ, Ximena et al. Level of tick infestation associated with individual factors of cattle in subtropical livestock farms in Ecuador. Siembra [online]. 2023, vol.10, n.2, 5530. ISSN 2477-8850.  https://doi.org/10.29166/siembra.v10i2.5530.

In Ecuador, Rhipicephalus microplus is the primary tick species affecting cattle, and its control requires an understanding of its behavior. The objective of this study was to assess the degree of infestation by R. microplus, examining the anatomical location of ticks and their potential association with intrinsic factors of animals, such as overall health, body condition, and coat color. Four samplings were conducted every three months on a total of 15 farms in the Northwest of Pichincha (location1) and 15 farms in the Valle de los Quijos (location2). Ticks larger than 0.5 cm were counted on 5 randomly selected animals. The results from four samplings in both locations revealed an average of 99.39 ± SD156.28 (0-1426) ticks per animal, with averages of 108.8 ± SD179.43 (0-1426) and 88.2 ± SD122.80 (0-824) for locations 1 and 2, respectively. Only the variable "apparent skin and coat health" showed a statistically significant positive association, with a P-value <0.05 and odds ratios of 5.13 (95% CI: 2.04-13.65) and 25.83 (95% CI: 7.63-109.39) in the "fair" and "poor" categories compared to the considered good condition. Additionally, the category "old" in the Age variable had a P-value of 0.05 and an odds ratio of 2.88 (95% CI: 1.04-8.80). Anatomically, more ticks were found in the anatomical areas corresponding to thighs, rear udder, legs, and hock, with an average of 38.52±SD70.17 (0-448) ticks. In conclusion, tick infestation poses a serious problem affecting cattle in tropical regions of the country. This study contributes to better directing methods and control practices for cattle.

Keywords : parasitism; vectors; cattle; control.

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