Parasites of domestic and wild animals in South Africa. XV. The seasonal prevalence of ectoparasites on impala and cattle in the northern Transvaal

Abstract

The prevalence of ectoparasites on a total of 36 impala (Aepyceros melampus) slaughtered monthly from February 1975 to February 1976 and a total of 24 cattle slaughtered monthly from March 1976 to March 1977 in the Nylsvley Provincial Nature Reserve was determined. Six species of ixodid ticks were collected from the impala and these, in order of abundance, were: Rhipicephalus evertsi evertsi, Rhipicephalus appendiculatus, Amblyomma hebraeum, Boophilus decoloratus, Ixodes cavipalpus and Hyalomma marginatum rufipes. Only 340 (2,7%) of the 12 757 ticks collected from the impala were adult. The 4 species of lice present on the impala were, in order of abundance: Damalinia aepycerus, Linognathus aepycerus, Damalinia elongata and Linognathus nevilli. The cattle harboured 8 species of ixodid ticks. In order of abundance, these were: R. appendiculatus, R. evertsi evertsi, A. hebraeum, Hyalomma truncatum, H. marginatum rufipes, B. decoloratus, Rhipicephalus simus and I. cavipalpus. A total of 14 186 ticks was collected from the cattle and of these 4 660 (32,9%) were adults. Clear seasonal prevalences could be determined for certain ticks only. Adult A. hebraeum reached peak numbers on cattle from November to March, adult H. marginatum rufipes from December to February and adult H. truncatum during January and February. Larvae of R. appendiculatus reached peak numbers on cattle and impala from March or April to July, nymphae from June to October and adults from December to March. Peak numbers of larvae of R. evertsi evertsi were recovered from impala from May to July and nymphae during July, while adults were present on cattle throughout the survey period, with peaks being recorded during December and February.