Ectoparasites of livestock and companion animals in New Zealand.

This research paper investigates the types and hosts of ectoparasites, parasites that live on the exterior of animals, found on livestock and pets in New Zealand.

Scope of the Research

• The paper focuses on the main livestock species in New Zealand which includes sheep, cattle, goats, pigs, horses, and deer. It also includes companion animals such as dogs, cats, rabbits, guinea pigs, and ferrets.
• It is noted that collectively these animals host at least 45 species of ectoparasites. In contrast, companion animals host around 30 species.

Previous Work

• Reference is made to Tenquist and Charleston’s work from 2001 which provided a checklist of host/parasite species along with limited information on their distribution and certain naming aspects.

Host-Specificity and Location Specificity

• The research further indicates that many of these parasites are not host-specific, meaning they can infest many different types of animals.
• Additionally, none of these parasites are specific to New Zealand, indicating that these parasites are likely found worldwide or in other countries as well.

Eradication and Rarity of Parasites

• It is noted in the research that there has only been one recorded eradication of an ectoparasite in New Zealand, which was the sheep scab mite, Psoroptes ovis.
• However, the sheep ked, Melophagus ovinus, is very rare, suggesting it might be close to eradication or not prevalent in New Zealand.