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Spatio-temporal distribution of identified tick species from small and large ruminants of Pakistan

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Abstract

Ticks are considered the second most important pathogens’ vectors after mosquitoes. Ticks are responsible for transmitting many diseases not only in animals but humans as well. In Pakistan, ticks are a source of many livestock diseases such as babesiosis, theileriosis, Crimean‑Congo haemorrhagic fever (CCHF) and many more, creating huge economic losses and zoonotic risks for the human population. Keeping in mind the important role of ticks, we compiled tick species data - of Pakistan, based on a review of the tick-related literature published between 1947 and early 2021. We focused only on those studies which included ticks identified from cattle, buffaloes, sheep, and goats. A total of -seven tick genera, including 30 tick species, were identified from cattle and buffaloes from 42 districts of Pakistan. Regarding ticks infesting sheep and goats, seven tick genera, including 40 tick species, from 45 districts of Pakistan were reported. Our study revealed how tick fauna has been updated with the identification of a variety of tick species from the different districts and territories of Pakistan according to time. The tick fauna list compiled here provides a complete picture of tick species recorded in Pakistan to date and will help to predict future economic risks and potential animal health losses associated with these pests, which could be mitigated through proper implementation of tick control and prevention strategies.

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Acknowledgements

Professor Olivier Sparagano is a principal investigator of an internal research fund of the Department of Infectious Diseases and Public Health of the City University of Hong Kong (Project number 9380108).

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Infectious Diseases and Public Health, Jockey Club College of Veterinary Medicine and Life Sciences, City University of Hong Kong, Kowloon, Hong Kong SAR, China

    Sabir Hussain, Jun Li & Olivier Sparagano

  2. Department of Epidemiology and Public Health, University of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, 54600, Lahore, Pakistan

    Abrar Hussain & Abdul Rehman

  3. School of Natural and Environmental Sciences, Newcastle University, Agriculture Building, Newcastle upon Tyne, NE1 7RU, UK

    David George

  4. School of Data Science, City University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR, China

    Jun Li

  5. Department of Zoology, Abdul Wali Khan University Mardan, Mardan, 23200, Pakistan

    Jehan Zeb & Adil Khan

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  1. Sabir Hussain
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S.H., A.H. and O.S. conceived the study, drafted the manuscript. O.S., J.L., D.G., A.R. J.Z., and A.K., provided intellectual inputs, and critically revised the manuscript. All authors have read and agreed to the final version of the manuscript.

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Hussain, S., Hussain, A., Rehman, A. et al. Spatio-temporal distribution of identified tick species from small and large ruminants of Pakistan. Biologia 77, 1563–1573 (2022). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11756-021-00865-z

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