Collection and Identification of Tick Species on Goats and Sheep in Dera Ismail Khan, Pakistan

Abstract

Ticks are hematophagous ectoparasites of domestic and wild animals. These are the major health problems for human and animals especially livestock industry all over the world. The several tick species have been reported on domestic animals caused huge economic losses to livestock industry. The current study was conducted to check the tick species found on goats and sheep in Dera Ismail Khan (DI Khan) during 2020. A total of 220 animals were examined for tick collection and infestation in DI Khan using random sampling technique. Four species such as Hyalommaanatolicum, Hy. excavatum, Hy. marginatum and Rhipicephalus sanguineus belonging to two genera were collected and identified. The current study results showed that Hylommaanatolicum was dominant species found on both goats and sheep. Female were found more infested with tick species than male. There is need to adopt best management strategy to reduce the tick burden on livestock in the world especially study area.