Arthropod ectoparasites of cattle and goats from three upazilas of Comilla district, Bangladesh

The prevalence of ectoparasitic arthropods of cattle and goats in Daudkandi, Homna and Titas upazilas of Comilla district were investigated. During this study (December 2013 to November 2014) 299 cattle and 196 goats were examined; and among them 180 and 117 were found to be infested respectively. Seventeen species of ectoparasites (both larvae and adult) were identified and they are Haematopinus quadripertusus , Haematopinus eurysternus , Linognathus vituli, Damalinia bovis, Stomoxys calcitrans, Musca domistica, Tabanus striatus, Diachlorus sp., Armigeres subalbatus , Ctenocephalides felis , Boophilus microplus , Haemaphysalis bispinosa , Haemaphysalis kinneari , Hyalomma anatolicum , Rhipicephalus sanguineus , Dermacentor sp. and Ixodes sp. The highest prevalence of ectoparasitic infestation (69.94%) were found in Titas and the lowest (53.34%) in Homna upazila. The intensity of ectoparasitic infestation was highest in Titas (12.20) and lowest in Homna (5.21) upazila. Cattle in Titas upazila showed highest prevalence (67.53%) and intensity (8.04) and Homna upazila showed lowest prevalence (48.63%) and intensity (5.55). Goats in Titas upazila showed highest prevalence (76.09%) and intensity (8.38), and Daudkandi upazila showed lowest prevalence (49.37%) and goats in Homna showed lowest intensity (4.80). This study quantifies the level of ectoparasitic infestation in cattle and goats which demands immediate control program and needs more intensive epidemiological study for detail identification of the constraints of animal health and production.


INTRODUCTION
The arthropod contain over 80% of all known animal species and occupy almost every known habitat, as well as a plethora of small and little known groups. As a result of their activity, arthropod ectoparasites may have a variety of direct and indirect effects on their hosts (Wall & Shearer, 2001). Ectoparasites are important parasites because of their voracious blood feeding activity and as vectors for various agents of diseases in both man and livestock (Cumming, 1998;Hendrix, 1998). The occurrence of ectoparasites in cattle and goats is frequently reported in Bangladesh but is seldom quantified.
In Bangladesh the density of livestock and poultry population per unit of land is higher compared to other countries of the world (Department of Livestock Services, 2011. The current statistics shows that the cattle population in Bangladesh is about 23.7 million (Department of Livestock Services, 2011 and annual growth rate of livestock is 3.9 % (Bangladesh Economic Survey, 2012). The large, small and marginal farmers including the destitute women put their whole hearted efforts in livestock rearing and production (Department of livestock services, [2011][2012]. The productivity of cattle is hampered by several factors amongst, which the ectoparasites is important one (Jabber & Green, 1983). The important ectoparasites of cattle and goats are lice, ticks, mites, fleas, flies, ked and so on. Ectoparasites act as direct pests as well as vectors of many microbial and parasitic diseases. Their direct and indirect affects lower the productivity of cattle. The direct and indirect effects of ectoparasitic infestation are reduced milk, meat, hide productions and loss of stamina of working animals (Soulsby, 1982). Bangladesh earns 2.9% foreign currency by exporting leather and leather goods (Department of livestock services, 2008). But unfortunately quality of hides cannot be ensured because of various skin disease due to the ectoparasitic infestations (Huq & Mollah, 1972;Rahman & Mondal, 1985;Nooruddin & Dey, 1989;Nooruddin & Mondal, 1996). This study was undertaken to investigate the prevalence of lice, ticks, fleas, flies, mites as veterinary ectoparasites in Daudkandi, Homna and Titas upazilas in Comilla district, Bangladesh.

MATERIALS AND METHODS
The present research was conducted in veterinary animals of Daudkandi, Homna and Titas upazilas in Comilla district, Bangladesh during the period from December 2013 to November 2014. Usually collection was accomplished 7a.m. to 4p.m. Random sampling was performed in the selected three villages from each upazila and 10-15 household from each of the village and 1-5 animals were examined from each household for ectoparasites. Total 297 infested animals (180 cattle and 117 goats) were selected randomly from different parts in each village for the convenience of the study and availability of the animals.

Collection of ectoparasites:
The selected animals were thoroughly investigated by close inspection for 10-15 minutes, parting the hairs against their natural direction for the detection of ectoparasites. Ectoparasites were collected from the different parts of the body of the individual animals. Lice were collected by small camel hair brush or comb. In order to collect the ticks from the host body, the point of attachment was smeared with 70% ethanol to loosen attachment of parasite with the host body surface. Then they were collected by slow and gentle pull with fine forceps or hand picking. A sheet of white paper placed just underneath the host's body hair to avoid the chances of losing the ectoparasites during collection. Flies specimens were caught with the help of a swiping net and sometimes by the hand with great care so that the flies were not damaged or missed. They were caught from different body parts such as around the face, horn, and base of the ears, head, abdomen and legs. For collection of fleas, the hairs of the host body was carefully examined and after located the parasite, hairs are pressed two sides by the tip of finger and smeared a drop with 70% ethanol. Then they were collected by hand picking.
Cleaning and preservation of ectoparasites: In order to clean the collected specimen were keep in a petri dish contains 70% ethanol and placed under the dissection microscope for removing the hairs and debris attaching to their bodies. After cleaning specimens were preserved in 70% ethanol in clean well-stopper glass vials which were labeled properly. Some specimens were preserved in tissue paper with naphthalene and then finally preserved in glass vials with 70% ethanol. Flies were preserved in well stopped plastic bottles for 2 to 3 days to protect their natural color for photography. After that flies were also preserved in 70% ethanol in glass vials.

RESULTS AND DISCUSSION
A total 2013 ectoparasites were collected from the host body in which 1304 from cattle and 709 from goats. A total of 17 types ectoparasites were identified namely Haematopinus quadripertusus, Haematopinus eurysternus, Linognathus vituli, Damalinia bovis, Stomoxys calcitrans, Musca domistica, Tabanus striatus, Diachlorus sp., Armigeres subalbatus, Ctenocephalides felis, Boophilus microplus, Haemaphysalis bispinosa, Haemaphysalis kinneari, Hyalomma anatolicum, Rhipicephalus sanguineus, Dermacentor sp. and Ixodes sp. (both larvae and adult). In Daudkandi upazila 152 animals were examined in which 87 were infested. A total 585 ectoparasites were collected where the prevalence was 57.24% and intensity was 6.73 respectively. In Homna, a total 500 ectoparasites were collected from 96 infested hosts where 180 animals were examined. The prevalence and intensity of ectoparasites of Homna upazila was 53.34% and 5.21 respectively. In Titas, 163 animals were examined and a total 928 ectoparasites were collected from 114 infested hosts. Prevalence and intensity of ectoparasites was 69.94% and 8.15 respectively (Table 1). In present study, veterinary animals in Titas showed the highest prevalence of ectoparasitic infestation, 69.94% and Homna showed the lowest prevalence, 53.34%). Among the veterinary animals in Titas upazila showed highest intensity (8.15) and in Homna upazila showed lowest intensity (5.21).  In Daudkandi, a total 210 ectoparasites of goats were collected from 39 infested hosts where 79 goats were examined. The prevalence and intensity of ectoparasites were 49.37% and 5.39 respectively. In Homna upazila, 71 goats were examined and only 43 goats were found infested. A total 206 ectoparasites were collected and prevalence and intensity were 60.57% and 4.80 respectively. In Titas, total 46 goats were examined and 35 were infested. 293 ectoparasites were collected from infested host and the prevalence and intensity were 76.09% and 8.38 respectively (Table 3). Goats in Titas upazila showed the highest prevalence of ectoparasitic infestation and it was 76.09%. Goats in Daudkandi upazila showed the lowest prevalence and it was 49.37%. Goats in Titas upazila showed the highest intensity and it was 8.38. Goats in Homna upazila showed the lowest intensity and it was 4.80.  (Table 4). Linognathus vituli showed the highest intensity of infestation. Total 41 parasites were collected from 03 infested hosts. Its prevalence and intensity were 6.25% and 13.67 respectively.

Table 1. Prevalence and intensity of ectoparasites of veterinary animals (cattle and goats) at Daudkandi, Homna and Titas upazilas in Comilla district
A total numbers of 210 arthropod ectoparasites were collected from 39 infested goats of Daudkandi. Ctenocephalides felis showed the highest prevalence of infestation. Total 82 parasites were collected from 28 infested hosts. Its prevalence was 71.80% respectively. Rhipicephalus sanguineus showed the lowest prevalence and highest intensity of infestation. Total 07 parasites were collected from 02 infested hosts. Its prevalence and intensity were 5.13% and 3.50 respectively. Boophilus microplus showed the lowest intensity of infestation. Total 13 parasites were collected from 05 infested hosts and intensity were 2.60 (Table 5).
In Homna, a total number of 294 arthropod ectoparasites were collected from 53 infested cattle. Musca domestica showed the highest prevalence of infestation. Total 143 flies were collected from 42 infested hosts. Its prevalence was 79.25%. Diachlorus sp. showed the lowest prevalence of infestation. 01 parasite was collected from 01 infested host. Its prevalence was 1.87%. Hyalomma anatolicum showed the highest intensity of infestation. Total 05 parasites were collected from 01 infested host. Its prevalence and intensity were 1.89% and 5 respectively. Haematopinus quadripertusus showed the lowest intensity of infestation. Total 33 parasites were collected from 18 infested hosts. The prevalence and intensity were 33.97% and 1.84 respectively (Table 4).
From goats, a total numbers of 193 arthropod ectoparasites were collected from 43 infested goats. Ctenocephalides felis showed the highest prevalence and lowest intensity of infestation. Total 47 parasites were collected from 33 infested hosts. Its prevalence and intensity were 76.75% and 1.43 respectively. Linognathus vituli showed the lowest prevalence and highest intensity of infestation. Total 17 parasites were collected from 02 infested hosts. Its prevalence and intensity was 4.66% and 8.50 respectively (Table 5).
In Titas upazila from cattle a total 635 arthropod ectoparasites were collected from 79 infested hosts. Damalinia bovis showed the highest prevalence and lowest intensity of infestation. Total 109 parasites were collected from 67 infested hosts. Its prevalence and intensity were 84.82% and 1.63 respectively. Dermacentor sp. showed the lowest prevalence of infestation. Total 03 parasites were collected from 01 infested host. Its prevalence was 1.27%. Linognathus vituli showed the highest intensity of infestation. Total 65 parasites were collected from 07 infested hosts. Its intensity 9.29 respectively (Table 4).  A total number of 293 arthropod ectoparasites were collected from 35 infested goats. Ctenocephalides felis showed the highest prevalence of infestation. Total 88 parasites were collected from 27 infested hosts. Its prevalence was 77.15% respectively. Ixodid larvae showed the lowest prevalence and highest intensity of infestation. Total 09 parasites were collected from 01 infested host. Its prevalence and intensity were 2.86% and 9 respectively. Haemaphysalis bispinosa showed the lowest intensity of infestation. Total 09 parasites were collected from 07 infested hosts, intensity 1.29 respectively ( Table 5).
In present study result revealed that veterinary animals (cattle and goats) in the study area were found to be infested with several species of lice, flies, flea and ticks but no mites were of Comilla district there is no chance to compare with present survey. But few works found on the one or two upazila of some districts of Bangladesh  Karim et al. (2013) reported that Armigeres subalbatus (1%) showed the lowest abundance followed by other mosquito species in Dhaka city. Aslamkhan & Wolfe (1972) reported that Armigeres subalbatus biting cattle more than man at night in Thakurgaon. Kirti & Kaur (1999) reported that Armigeres subalbatus only from the Malwa region of Punjab, which shows that with the changing ecology of Punjab Armigeres subalbatus, has emerged as one of the most abundant mosquito species in the state. Rudra et al. (2013) recorded that in tribal are indoor-resting collection of Armigeres subalbatus in one year was only 18, 1.65% of the total catch and in non-tribal are the figure was 489, and 14.82% of the total catch in West Bengal, India. Only one flea species named Ctenocephalides felis was found in this survey and collected from goats in all upazilas (Daudkandi 71.80%, Homna 76.75% and Titas 77.15%). Similar observations were reported by Mulugeta et al. (2010). He found that the abundance of Ctenocephalides felis infestations in goats were 11.1% in Ethiopia. Ferdousi et.al.(2004) reported this species from goats in Savar region of Bangladesh. Tesfaye et al. (2012) recorded that this species was the most frequently observed flea species in goats of Bahir Dar area, Ethiopia. Kisiluka et al. (1995) recorded Ctenocephalides felis was the only flea species in north Botswana and 66% herds and 63.1% goats were infested with this species.
The tick's species Boophilus microplus was not found in the goats of Homna but found both cattle and goats in other upazila. Cattle in Homna, Boophilus microplus (22.65%) showed the highest prevalence than other upazilas. Similar findings were also reported by Rony et al. (2010). He reported that the prevalence of Boophilus microplus (45.45%) was higher than other tick species in goats in Gazipur district, Bangladesh. Roy et al. (2000) recorded Boophilus microplus (28.3%) and Haemaphysalis bispinosa (7.6%) from cattle at Modhupur forest area in Tangail. Similar findings were also reported by some other scientists in abroad. Stuti et al. (2008) observed Boophilus microplus (96.44%) was the most common and predominant tick species followed by Rhipicephalus sanguineus (1.98%). Haemaphysalis bispinosa was found both cattle and goats of Homna upazila. upazila. Haemaphysalis kinneari (34.18%) showed highest prevalence in cattle in Titas. Both tick species Hyalomma anatolicum and Rhipicephalus sanguineus were not found in Titas upazila. Dermacentor sp. was only found in the cattle of Titas upazila. Ixodes sp. was only found in the goats of Daudkandi. Both cattle and goats, Ixodid larvae were only found in Titas upazila.