Survey of Ectoparasites of Bovid Animals in Nanka and Nnobi Towns of Anambra State, Nigeria
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.33003/Keywords:
Anambra, Bovid animals, Ectoparasites, Nigeria, SurveyAbstract
Ectoparasite infestations remain a major constraint on livestock productivity in Nigeria. This study surveyed ectoparasites infesting bovid animals in Nanka and Nnobi towns, Anambra State, Nigeria. Total of 198 animals (77 goats, 68 sheep, 53 cattle) were randomly selected and examined for this study. Data was analyzed using chi-square and p≤0.05 were considered significant. Overall, 195 animals were infested with overall infestation prevalence 98.5%. Cow had the highest infestation (100%) followed by goats (98.4%) and sheep (97.1%). Gender and location differences were statistically insignificant (P > 0.05) across all bovids. Predilection site distribution was highly significant (P = 0.000) for all animals examined. The abdomen was the most infested site; 36.1%, 50.0% and 44.8% for Goat, Sheep and Cow respectively while ear and mammary gland were least infested sites in goat (8.2%), sheep (2.9%) and cow (3.0%). Overall, bovid animals from Nanka had the highest infestation prevalence (99.0%) while those from Nnobi had a slightly lower prevalence of 98.0% (P=0.573). Four ectoparasite genera were identified: Argas (68.5%), Amblyomma (23.9%), Dermacentor (5.4%), and Ctenocephalides (2.2%). Argas (35.8%) and Amblyomma sp (41.6%) were most abundant on cow while Demacentor was most abundant on goat (40.0%) and sheep (40.0%). Ctenocephalides had the highest abundance on goat (75.0%) while none infested on cow (0.0%). The high prevalence highlights inadequate control practices and favorable environmental conditions for ectoparasite survival. These findings stress the need for integrated ectoparasite management, and improved husbandry practices, to mitigate economic losses and reduce vector-borne disease risks in southeastern Nigeria.
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