Amblyomma Tick Infestation and Occurrence of Haemogregarines in African Hinge-Back Tortoises in Ibadan, Nigeria

Tortoises are kept as pets in some homes and as side attraction in zoological gardens, but their usefulness could be limited by ectoparasite infestation. Ectoparasites cause harmful effects on their hosts, sometimes with high morbidity and mortality. Despite this, little attention has been paid to ectoparasite infestation in tortoises with potential extinction threat. Study was aimed at determining the presence and prevalence of tick infestation on African hinge-back tortoises (AHT) and evaluate their possible roles in the transmission of Haemogregarines, a common heamoparasites in Kinixys belliana and Kinixys homeana (African bell hinge-back and home hinge-back tortoises) obtained from major wildlife markets in Ibadan, Nigeria. In total, 120 tortoises (70 K. belliana and 50 K homeana) purchased at wildlife markets over a year during rainy and dry seasons were screened for ectoparasites but only ticks were found. Ticks were detached from tortoises, using a pair of forceps. Mean prevalence for each Kinixys belliana and Kinixys homeana group was determined and ticks were identified. The effects of sex, species, and season on parasite prevalence were evaluated using the Mann–Whitney U test and Pearson’s chi-square test. Data were quantified using correlation coefficient test. Level of significance was taken as 5%. Hard ticks Amblyomma species) were the only ectoparasites found on 54.0% of tortoises. Higher prevalence of Amblyomma was observed in Kinixys belliana (55.7%) than Kinixys homeana (52.0%). Male tortoises recorded higher prevalence (60.7%) than females (48.4%). Overall prevalence during rainy season was 55.0 and 53.3% in dry season. A comprehensive preventive health programme aimed at controlling ectoparasites such as ticks on tortoises in zoological gardens and in private facilities is hereby recommended.