Abundance and Diversity of Ticks Infestation Among Three Selected Areas of Cattle in Bauchi State, Nigeria
NJE Vol. 42(1) : 28-44, 2026
DOI.10.36108/NJE/6202/24.0130
Gayaunan Danailu*1, Abdullahi Aliyu1, Akwashiki Ombugadu2, Confidence A. Danyaro1, Joshua Isaac A.2
1Department of Biological Sciences, Abubakar Tafawa Balewa University, Bauchi State, Nigeria.
2Department of Zoology, Faculty of Life Sciences, Federal University of Lafia, PMB 146, Lafia, Nasarawa State, Nigeria
Abstract
Ticks and tick-borne diseases are a major constraint to good livestock productivity in sub-Saharan Africa, including Nigeria. This study aimed at determining the abundance and diversity of tick infestations on cattle in Bauchi metropolis, Bauchi State, Nigeria. Ticks were collected from 150 randomly selected cattle of four breeds. Morphological identification of ticks was done using a hand lens, dissecting microscope, and standard identification keys. A total of 174 ticks were collected from 75 (50%) infested cattle, which spread across 26 bulls and 49 cows. Although the majority of the infestation was caused by the Red and White Fulani breeds (80.0% and 48.9%, respectively), there was no significant difference in tick infestation (P = 0.448). Compared to female cattle (44.6%), male cattle showed a considerably (P = 0.027) greater infection rate (65.0%). There were three different species of ticks. Rhi. (Boophilus) spp. 10 (6%), Rhipicephalus (Boophilus) evertsi evertsi 79 (45%), and Amblyomma variegatum 85 (49%) were the most prevalent (P <0.001). Male ticks made up 79.3% of the total ticks found (P<0.001). The udder/scrotum (32.2%), thighs (21.8%), and tail (15.5%) were the ticks’ most favored preference locations (P<0.001). With a total tick abundance of 51% (P = 0.357), the majority of the affected animals (48.0%) came from livestock herders in the Bauchi metropolitan area (P = 0.301). This study reveals a significant abundance of tick infestation among indigenous cattle in Bauchi metropolis, especially those raised by pastoralists, and if they are diseased, they could spread diseases through ticks.
Keywords: Ticks, Cattle, Cattle breeds, Infestation, Abundance and diversity, Predilection sites