title: Distribution and population dynamics of ticks (Acari: Ixodidae) infesting sheep in Sennar State, Sudan.
abstract: A cross-sectional survey of ticks infesting sheep was conducted in Sennar State, Sudan. A total body collection of ticks was carried out at five localities Sennar town, Singa, Dinder, Abu Naama and Um Banein on two types of Desert sheep (Watish and Ashgar) on two farms at each locality at two monthly intervals for one year starting July 2002 to May 2003. Four tick genera and eight species were identified. They were Amblyomma lepidum, Hyalomma anatolicum anatolicum, Hyalomma truncatum, Rhipicephalus (Boophilus) decoloratus, Rhipicephalus camicasi, Rhipicephalus evertsi evertsi, Rhipicephalus guilhoni and Rhipicephalus muhsamae. A significant (P < or = 0.05) seasonal pattern of activity was observed for A. lepidum and R. guilhoni with peak activity occurring during rainy seasons. The highest mean number of ticks (7.26 +/- 0.58) was recorded at Abu Naama, while the lowest mean (3.61 +/- 0.31) was recorded in Sennar. Watish type sheep carried significantly (P < or = 0.05) more ticks than Ashgar type.
authors.affiliation: Faculty of Veterinary Science, University of Nyala P.O. Box 155, Nyala, Sudan.
authors.forename: M S
authors.initials: MS
authors.lastname: Mohammed
authors.forename: S M
authors.initials: SM
authors.lastname: Hassan
mesh_terms: D000822:Animal Husbandry / Q000379:methods; D000818:Animals; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D003710:Demography; D005260:Female; D006790:Host-Parasite Interactions; D026863:Ixodidae / Q000145:classification* / Q000254:growth & development*; D008297:Male; D010802:Phylogeny; D011156:Population Density; D011157:Population Dynamics; D048494:Rhipicephalus / Q000145:classification / Q000254:growth & development; D012621:Seasons; D012756:Sheep; D012757:Sheep Diseases / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000469:parasitology*; D013045:Species Specificity; D013397:Sudan / Q000453:epidemiology; D013984:Tick Infestations / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000469:parasitology / Q000662:veterinary*