Population dynamics of ticks infesting horses in north-west Tunisia.
Abstract: A preliminary study was carried out to examine the population dynamics of ticks on 24 pure Arabian horses. The horses were monitored monthly over one year in the Ghardimaou region of north-west Tunisia. A total of 120 adult ticks were collected and identified, leading to the estimation of different parasitological indicators. The ticks belonged to a single genus (Hyalomma) and three species: H. scupense (59%), H. marginatum (28%) and H. excavatum (13%) (p < 0.001). The mean infestation prevalence was 29.5%; the highest prevalence was observed for H. scupense (41.7%) (p 0.05), but the proportion of ticks on mares was significantly higher than that on males: 65.0% and 35.0%, respectively (p < 0.05). To the authors' knowledge, this is the first longitudinal study of tick dynamics in North African horses. Une étude préliminaire a été réalisée afin d’examiner la dynamique des populations de tiques infestant 24 chevaux pur-sang arabes. Les tests ont été effectués une fois par mois pendant un an dans la région de Ghardimaou au nord-ouest de la Tunisie. Autotal, 120 tiques adultes ont été collectées et identifiées, permettant une estimation de différents indicateurs parasitologiques. Toutes les tiques collectées étaient du genre Hyalomma, dont trois espèces ont été identifiées : H. scupense (59 %),H. marginatum (28 %) et H. excavatum (13 %) (p < 0,001). La prévalence moyenne de l’infestation était de 29,5 % et la prévalence la plus élevée correspondait à H. scupense (41,7 %) (p 0,05), mais la proportion de tiques chez les juments était plus élevée que chez les mâles, respectivement 65,0 % et 35,0 % (p < 0,05). À la connaissance des auteurs, il s’agit de la première étude longitudinale de la dynamique des populations de tiques chez les chevaux en Afrique du Nord. Los autores describen un estudio preliminar destinado a examinar la dinámica de población de las garrapatas presentes en 24 caballos purasangre árabes de la región de Gardimau (noroeste de Túnez), sometidos a controles mensuales durante más de un año. Tras recoger y tipificar un total de 120 garrapatas adultas, se calcularon distintos indicadores parasitológicos. Todos los ácaros pertenecían a un solo género (Hyalomma) y a tres especies: H. scupense (59%), H. marginatum (28%) y H. excavatum (13%) (p < 0,001). La prevalencia de infestación media era del 29,5%, mientras que la prevalencia más alta observada correspondía a H. scupense (41,7%) (p 0,05), pero la proporción de parásitos en las yeguas era significativamente mayor que en los machos: un 65,0% frente a un 35,0%, respectivamente (p < 0,05). Hasta donde saben los autores, se trata del primer estudio longitudinal de la dinámica de poblaciones de garrapatas realizado en caballos norteafricanos.
© World Organisation for Animal Health (OIE), 2018
Publication Date: 2019-04-10 PubMed ID: 30964464DOI: 10.20506/rst.37.3.2890Google Scholar: Lookup
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- Journal Article
Summary
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The research provides insight into the population dynamics of ticks on Arabian horses in the Ghardimaou region of North-west Tunisia, marking the first longitudinal study on the subject in North African horses.
Study Design and Methodology
- The research was a preliminary study, carried out to understand the population dynamics of ticks on Arabian horses.
- The study was conducted on a herd of 24 pure Arabian horses and lasted for a period of one year.
- These horses were monitored on a monthly basis, with all detected ticks being collected and identified.
- A range of parasitological indicators were assessed as part of the research.
Findings and Results
- Around 120 adult ticks were collected during the study and all belonged to a single genus, Hyalomma, divided into three species. Out of these, H. scupense constituted 59%, H. marginatum made up 28%, and H. excavatum was 13% of the total collection.
- The average infestation prevalence among the horses was found to be 29.5%, with the highest prevalence associated with H. scupense at 41.7%.
- The average intensity of infestation stood at 0.3 ticks per horse, with the highest average intensity seen in H. scupense at 0.6 ticks per horse.
- The highest individual intensity measurement was also found with H. scupense at 1.1 ticks per animal.
- The study highlighted an average annual abundance of ticks at 0.1 ticks per animal.
Correlations and Observations
- No significant correlation was found between a horse’s age and the number of ticks present.
- A significant difference was, however, noted in the proportion of ticks on female horses (mares) and male horses, with mares carrying a significantly higher proportion of ticks (65%) compared to males (35%).
Contributions to Existing Knowledge
- This preliminary research contributes notable insights into the population dynamics of ticks infesting horses, particularly in the context of North Africa.
- No previous longitudinal study had been conducted on this topic pertaining to North African horses, marking a significant contribution to current knowledge and understanding.
Cite This Article
APA
Gharbi M, Drissi G, Darghouth MA.
(2019).
Population dynamics of ticks infesting horses in north-west Tunisia.
Rev Sci Tech, 37(3), 837-841.
https://doi.org/10.20506/rst.37.3.2890 Publication
Researcher Affiliations
MeSH Terms
- Animals
- Female
- Horses
- Longitudinal Studies
- Male
- Population Dynamics
- Tick Infestations / veterinary
- Ticks
- Tunisia
Citations
This article has been cited 1 times.- Mesafint E, Dejene H, Maru M, Tarekegn ZS. A systematic review and meta-analysis of the prevalence of parasitic infections in equids in Ethiopia.. J Parasit Dis 2023 Sep;47(3):451-464.
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