Species Distribution Model: A Case Study of Brown Ear Tick (Rhipicephalus appendiculatus) in Kenya.

Abstract

A major method for analyzing resource selection of species ,predicting and mapp1l1g habitat suitability is by use of a Geographic Information System(GIS).This research combines data relating to Rhipicephalus appendiculatus(Brown Ear Tick) in Kenya with spatially explicit environmental factors to understand its resource selection and habitat preference using a logistic model as developed from the generalized linear model(GLM).Resource selection among the brown ear tick was similar in that across all sub-regions, they selected areas which has similar related factors in terms of the surrounding. The tick actively avoided at least one source of human threat including human settlements in all four of the studied regions and inhabited those areas that ecologically favour it. The Brown Ear Tick (Rhipicephalus appendiculatus) which is a threat to livestock has not been studied until more recently in Zambia where a sudden and severe outbreak of Brown Ear Tick in the Central and Eastern areas of Zambia was reported. In Kenya its effect and spatial occurrence has not been understood. Resource selection analyses such as the one conducted in this study could help with planning of proper conservation if need be, prevention corridors for diseases control and manifestation in new areas especially as threats to livestock and wildlife increases. In addition, a GIS was used to construct an expert-based habitat suitability map for the brown ear tick across Kenya using a spatial model approach. The map integrates spatial information on biological habitat requirements of the species with information on severity of threats to its prey. This can serve as a useful tool for determining future brown ear tick prevention prioritization in Kenya.