TICKS INFESTATION ON DROMEDARY CAMELS (CAMELUS DROMEDARIUS) NEWLY INTRODUCED TO NATIONAL ANIMAL PRODUCTION RESEARCH INSTITUTE, SHIKA-ZARIA

Abstract

This report is aimed at giving the outcome of a physical examination conducted during quarantine of ten dromedary camels (Camelus dromedarius) newly introduced to Equine and Camel research programme, National Animal Production Research Institute Shika-Zaria. Ticks found were pulled out gently from the external surfaces (mammary, prepuce, anal, ear and abdominal regions) of ten camels’ body using forceps and immediately transported in sample bottles to entomology laboratory. Hyalomma spp. (n= 80) was the only tick genus encountered and identified in the laboratory based on its morphological appearance. Further studies at both clinical and molecular levels on Hyalomma spp. as the most prevalent tick found on dromedary camels is recommended.