Studies On Diversity And Seasonal Distribution Of Tick Species Infesting Cows In Degloor Region, Maharashtra, India

Abstract

Ticks pose a major constraint to cow’s health and productivity, primarily through blood feeding, irritation, and their ability to transmit a variety of disease-causing pathogens. The present study was designed to document the species composition and relative abundance of tick fauna infesting cows in this region. A longitudinal field investigation was carried out from Dec. 2023 to Nov. 2024, during which 1,097 representative tick specimens were collected from tick-infested cows among a sample of 400 cows. Three tick species were identified, with their relative abundance as follows: Rhipicephalus microplus (63.26%), Hyalomma anatolicum anatolicum (34.28%), and Rhipicephalus sanguineus (2.46%). Among the collected specimens, Rhipicephalus microplus was identified as the predominant species in the study area. The study revealed pronounced seasonal variation in tick abundance, with overall infestations peaking during the Monsoon Season, followed by post-monsoon, summer, and winter. These result demonstrate the first comprehensive baseline record of tick diversity on cows in Degloor Taluka and contribute to understanding tick ecology for developing region-specific control strategies.