Unveiling tick diversity in cattle in Cameroon: emergence of Rhipicephalus microplus, replacing the original Rhipicephalus spp.

Ticks are well-known vectors of pathogens, posing considerable risks to livestock health and productivity. In Cameroon, where livestock production is vital, established tick species such as Amblyomma variegatum and Hyalomma truncatum are prevalent in key cattle-rearing areas. The recent introduction...

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Main Authors: Aziz, M.U., Zeb, J., Lontsi-Demano, M., Almendros, A., de la Fuente, J., Sparagano, O.A., Butaye, P.
Format: Journal Article
Language:Inglés
Published: MDPI 2025
Subjects:
Online Access:https://hdl.handle.net/10568/176281
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author Aziz, M.U.
Zeb, J.
Lontsi-Demano, M.
Almendros, A.
de la Fuente, J.
Sparagano, O.A.
Butaye, P.
author_browse Almendros, A.
Aziz, M.U.
Butaye, P.
Lontsi-Demano, M.
Sparagano, O.A.
Zeb, J.
de la Fuente, J.
author_facet Aziz, M.U.
Zeb, J.
Lontsi-Demano, M.
Almendros, A.
de la Fuente, J.
Sparagano, O.A.
Butaye, P.
author_sort Aziz, M.U.
collection Repository of Agricultural Research Outputs (CGSpace)
description Ticks are well-known vectors of pathogens, posing considerable risks to livestock health and productivity. In Cameroon, where livestock production is vital, established tick species such as Amblyomma variegatum and Hyalomma truncatum are prevalent in key cattle-rearing areas. The recent introduction of the invasive, acaricide-resistant Rhipicephalus microplus further complicates control efforts. In this study, we deliver baseline data on the composition of tick species and their shifts within agroecological zone I (AEZ I) and agroecological zone III (AEZ III) of Cameroon, providing a foundation for targeted vector control strategies to ultimately reduce the risk of pathogen transmission. From 1100 ticks collected across two Cameroonian agroecological zones, H. truncatum (39.9%), A. variegatum (31%), and R. microplus (10.64%) were the most prevalent species, along with Rhipicephalus lunulatus (4.45%), Hyalomma rufipes (1.45%), Hyalomma marginatum (1.09%), Hyalomma dromedarii (0.45%), and Rhipicephalus sanguineus (0.9%). Molecular identification using cytochrome C oxidase subunit 1 (cox1) and 16s led to the identification of five additional species, Hyalomma nitidum (0.73%), Rhipicephalus simus (3.54%), Rhipicephalus sulcatus (2.64%), Rhipicephalus praetextatus (2.1%), and Rhipicephalus pusillus (1.1%). R. microplus emerged as the most dominant Rhipicephalus spp. in AEZ I, comprising 67.5% of the total Rhipicephalus ticks. In conclusion, we demonstrate the further spread of R. microplus, which represents a major source of vector-borne diseases, affecting both humans and animals.
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spelling CGSpace1762812025-12-08T10:29:22Z Unveiling tick diversity in cattle in Cameroon: emergence of Rhipicephalus microplus, replacing the original Rhipicephalus spp. Aziz, M.U. Zeb, J. Lontsi-Demano, M. Almendros, A. de la Fuente, J. Sparagano, O.A. Butaye, P. ticks tick-borne diseases rhipicephalus cameroon Ticks are well-known vectors of pathogens, posing considerable risks to livestock health and productivity. In Cameroon, where livestock production is vital, established tick species such as Amblyomma variegatum and Hyalomma truncatum are prevalent in key cattle-rearing areas. The recent introduction of the invasive, acaricide-resistant Rhipicephalus microplus further complicates control efforts. In this study, we deliver baseline data on the composition of tick species and their shifts within agroecological zone I (AEZ I) and agroecological zone III (AEZ III) of Cameroon, providing a foundation for targeted vector control strategies to ultimately reduce the risk of pathogen transmission. From 1100 ticks collected across two Cameroonian agroecological zones, H. truncatum (39.9%), A. variegatum (31%), and R. microplus (10.64%) were the most prevalent species, along with Rhipicephalus lunulatus (4.45%), Hyalomma rufipes (1.45%), Hyalomma marginatum (1.09%), Hyalomma dromedarii (0.45%), and Rhipicephalus sanguineus (0.9%). Molecular identification using cytochrome C oxidase subunit 1 (cox1) and 16s led to the identification of five additional species, Hyalomma nitidum (0.73%), Rhipicephalus simus (3.54%), Rhipicephalus sulcatus (2.64%), Rhipicephalus praetextatus (2.1%), and Rhipicephalus pusillus (1.1%). R. microplus emerged as the most dominant Rhipicephalus spp. in AEZ I, comprising 67.5% of the total Rhipicephalus ticks. In conclusion, we demonstrate the further spread of R. microplus, which represents a major source of vector-borne diseases, affecting both humans and animals. 2025 2025-09-01T10:35:06Z 2025-09-01T10:35:06Z Journal Article https://hdl.handle.net/10568/176281 en Open Access application/pdf MDPI Aziz, M.U., Zeb, J., Lontsi-Demano, M., Almendros, A., de la Fuente, J., Sparagano, O.A. & Butaye, P. (2025). Unveiling tick diversity in cattle in Cameroon: emergence of Rhipicephalus microplus, replacing the original Rhipicephalus spp. Veterinary Sciences, 12(2): 123, 1-12.
spellingShingle ticks
tick-borne diseases
rhipicephalus
cameroon
Aziz, M.U.
Zeb, J.
Lontsi-Demano, M.
Almendros, A.
de la Fuente, J.
Sparagano, O.A.
Butaye, P.
Unveiling tick diversity in cattle in Cameroon: emergence of Rhipicephalus microplus, replacing the original Rhipicephalus spp.
title Unveiling tick diversity in cattle in Cameroon: emergence of Rhipicephalus microplus, replacing the original Rhipicephalus spp.
title_full Unveiling tick diversity in cattle in Cameroon: emergence of Rhipicephalus microplus, replacing the original Rhipicephalus spp.
title_fullStr Unveiling tick diversity in cattle in Cameroon: emergence of Rhipicephalus microplus, replacing the original Rhipicephalus spp.
title_full_unstemmed Unveiling tick diversity in cattle in Cameroon: emergence of Rhipicephalus microplus, replacing the original Rhipicephalus spp.
title_short Unveiling tick diversity in cattle in Cameroon: emergence of Rhipicephalus microplus, replacing the original Rhipicephalus spp.
title_sort unveiling tick diversity in cattle in cameroon emergence of rhipicephalus microplus replacing the original rhipicephalus spp
topic ticks
tick-borne diseases
rhipicephalus
cameroon
url https://hdl.handle.net/10568/176281
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