Species composition, prevalence, and diversity of ixodid ticks (Acari: Ixodidae) on domestic ruminants in the forest-associated ecosystems of Trivandrum district, Kerala, India

Ticks significant vectors impacting livestock and pet health with substantial economic loss in tropical and subtropical region. Identifying their species wise infestation on livestock has become critical for designing targeted and sustainable control measures. This study assessed tick infestation in cattle, buffalo and goat (n=156) across five human-wildlife interaction zones in the Western Ghats, Trivandrum district, Kerala. Cattle and goats had high infestation rates of 81.94% and 73.91%, respectively, while buffaloes had a moderate rate of 46.67%. The tick infested population (n=992) comprised nine species across three genera: Haemaphysalis bispinosa, Haemaphysalis intermedia, Haemaphysalis turturis, Haemaphysalis spinigera, Rhipicephalus (Boophilus) annulatus, Rhipicephalus (Boophilus) microplus, Rhipicephalus sanguineus, Rhipicephalus haemaphysaloides, and Amblyomma integrum. Majority of the collected ticks were adult ixodids (n=740), predominantly females (n=440). The most common species were R. (B.) annulatus (32.36%), followed by H. bispinosa (26.11%) and H. intermedia (9.17%). H. spinigera was least predominant species (0.4%). Host wise analysis of prevalence revealed that H. intermedia was most common in goats, while R. (B.) annulatus was predominant in cattle and buffaloes. Diversity analysis using the Simpson Diversity Index showed Ponmudi as the most diverse location (H = 1.65), while Neyyar had the lowest diversity (H = 1.24). Ponmudi also exhibited the highest species richness with all nine species, whereas Neyyar had only five. Peppara, ranking third in diversity, showed a more even distribution of tick populations (Pielou’s Index J’ = 0.83). This study highlighted significant variations in tick prevalence and diversity across different locations, which may have implications for targeted tick management strategies.