Tick species on cattle and African buffaloes in the Tsavo Conservation Area, Kenya

Abstract

A total of 25 cattle and 62 African buffaloes (Syncerus caffer) in the Tsavo Conservation Area in Kenya were sampled for ticks. The ticks that were collected were identified and counted under a stereoscopic microscope. Eight species, namely Amblyomma gemma, Amblyomma lepidum, Hyalomma albiparmatum, Hyalomma rufipes, Hyalomma truncatum, Rhipicephalus evertsi evertsi, Rhipicephalus pravus and Rhipicephalus pulchellus, were shared by cattle and buffaloes. Three species, namely Rhipicephalus (Boophilus) sp., Rhipicephalus kochi, and Rhipicephalus muehlensi, were collected only from cattle and three species, Hyalomma impeltatum, Rhipicephalus humeralis and Rhipicephalus praetextatus, were present only on buffaloes, New locality records for H. impeltatum and H. truncatum were established and the first locality records for Rhipicephalus praetextatus sensu stricto in Kenya reported.