Epidemiological Investigation and Morphological Characterization of Rhipicephalus microplus in Cattle

Abstract

Tick infestation is a major constraint to cattle health and productivity in tropical and subtropical regions. The present study was conducted to determine the prevalence, associated risk factors and species composition of ticks infesting cattle at the Livestock Farm Complex of Nanaji Deshmukh Veterinary Science University, Jabalpur, Madhya Pradesh, from July to December 2025. A total of 201 cattle were screened based on history and clinical examination, of which 118 were found positive, yielding an overall prevalence of 58.70%. The highest prevalence was recorded in August, followed by July and September. Cattle below one year of age, female cattle and crossbred animals showed significantly higher infestation. Loose housing and irregular deworming were identified as important predisposing factors. Common clinical signs included pruritus, alopecia and erythema. Morphological examination of 60 adult ticks confirmed all specimens as Rhipicephalus microplus, indicating its predominance in the study area. Statistical analysis revealed significant associations between tick infestation and factors such as month age sex breed duration of illness deworming status and housing system. The findings highlight the high prevalence of tick infestation in cattle under field conditions and emphasize the need for effective and regular tick control measures to reduce economic losses and improve animal health.