Distribution of endemic and introduced tick species in Free State Province, South Africa

Authors

  • Ivan G Horak University of Pretoria
  • Adri J Jordaan University of the Free State
  • Pierre J Nel Tourism and Environmental Affairs
  • Joseph van Heerden Kimberley Veterinary Clinic
  • Heloise Heyne ARCOnderstepoort Veterinary Institute
  • Ellie M van Dalen University of the Free State

Abstract

The distributions of endemic tick vector species as well as the presence of species not endemic to Free State Province, South Africa, were determined during surveys or opportunistic collections from livestock, wildlife and vegetation. Amongst endemic ticks, the presence of Rhipicephalus appendiculatus was confirmed in the north of the province, whilst Rhipicephalus decoloratus was collected at 31 localities mostly in the centre and east, and Ixodes rubicundus at 11 localities in the south, south-west and centre of the province. Amongst the non-endemic species adult Amblyomma hebraeum were collected from white rhinoceroses (Ceratotherium simum) on four privately owned farms, whilst the adults of Rhipicephalus microplus were collected from cattle
and a larva from vegetation at four localities in the east of the province. The collection of Rhipicephalus evertsi mimeticus from a sheep in the west of the province is the second record of its presence in the Free State, whereas the presence of Haemaphysalis silacea on helmeted guineafowl (Numida meleagris) and vegetation in the centre of the province represents a first record for this species in the Free State. The first collection of the argasid tick, Ornithodoros savignyi, in the Free State was made from a domestic cow and from soil in the west of the province. The localities at which the ticks were collected have been plotted and the ticks’ role
in the transmission or cause of disease in domestic livestock and wildlife is discussed.

Author Biographies

  • Ivan G Horak, University of Pretoria

    Department of Veterinary Tropical Diseases, University of Pretoria, South Africa

  • Adri J Jordaan, University of the Free State

    Department of Zoology and Entomology, University of the Free State, South Africa and Clinvet International,
    Universitas, South Africa

  • Pierre J Nel, Tourism and Environmental Affairs

    Department of Economic Development, Tourism and Environmental Affairs, Free State Province, South Africa

  • Joseph van Heerden, Kimberley Veterinary Clinic

    Kimberley Veterinary Clinic, Kimberley, South Africa

  • Heloise Heyne, ARCOnderstepoort Veterinary Institute

    Parasites, Vectors and Vector-borne Diseases Programme, ARCOnderstepoort Veterinary Institute, South Africa

  • Ellie M van Dalen, University of the Free State

    Department of Zoology and Entomology, University of the Free State, South Africa

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Published

2021-12-09

Issue

Vol. 86 No. 1 (2015)

Section

Original Research