Seasonal dynamics of tick infestations (Ixodoidea) in cattle in the area of Yaoundé, Cameroon

Abstract

Among the tick species identified in Cameroon, eight were found in cattle in Yaoundé: Amblyomma variegatum, Boophilus annulatus, B.decoloratus, Haemaphysalis aciculifer, Hyalomma nitidum, Rhipicephalus longus, Rh. lunulatus, Rh sulcatus. Three species, Hm. aciculifer, H. nitidum and Rh. lunulatus, were identified for the first time in Yaoundé. Rhipicephalus and Hyalomma were abundant during the rainy season. Boophilus was abundent throughout the year, with a maximum concentration at the end of the long dry season. Amblyomma, which was encountered in large quantities all year round, had a minimum infestation rate during the long rainy season. Only one female tick of Hm. aciculifer was collected.