scholarly journals A survey of free-living ixodid ticks on a commercial game farm in the Thabazimbi District, Limpopo Province, South Africa

2006 ◽  
Vol 77 (3) ◽  
Author(s):  
B. Schroder ◽  
A.C. Uys ◽  
B.K. Reilly
Keyword(s):  
South Africa ◽  
Abundant Species ◽  
Limpopo Province ◽  
Control Measures ◽  
Ixodid Ticks ◽  
Seasonal Abundance ◽  
Amblyomma Hebraeum ◽  
Optimum Time ◽  
Free Living ◽  
Boophilus Decoloratus

Free-living stages of ticks on a commercial game farm in the Thabazimbi District, Limpopo Province, South Africa, were collected by drag-sampling with flannel strips during the period September 2003 to August 2004. A total of 5 tick species was collected from 4 sites. Boophilus decoloratus was the most abundant species, followed by Amblyomma hebraeum. Seasonal abundance of the ticks was quantified and an optimum time to implement control measures against the ticks is proposed.

scholarly journals Parasites of domestic and wild animals in South Africa. L. Ixodid ticks infesting horses and donkeys

2017 ◽  
Vol 84 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Ivan G. Horak ◽  
Heloise Heyne ◽  
Ali Halajian ◽  
Shalaine Booysen ◽  
Willem J. Smit
Keyword(s):  
South Africa ◽  
Tick Species ◽  
Limpopo Province ◽  
Ixodid Ticks ◽  
Causative Organism ◽  
Amblyomma Hebraeum ◽  
Babesia Bigemina ◽  
Theileria Equi ◽  
North West ◽  
Rhipicephalus Evertsi Evertsi

The aim of the study was to determine the species spectrum of ixodid ticks that infest horses and donkeys in South Africa and to identify those species that act as vectors of disease to domestic livestock. Ticks were collected opportunistically from 391 horses countrywide by their owners or grooms, or by veterinary students and staff at the Faculty of Veterinary Science, University of Pretoria. Ticks were also collected from 76 donkeys in Limpopo Province, 2 in Gauteng Province and 1 in North West province. All the ticks were identified by means of a stereoscopic microscope. Horses were infested with 17 tick species, 72.1% with Rhipicephalus evertsi evertsi, 19.4% with Amblyomma hebraeum and 15.6% with Rhipicephalus decoloratus. Rhipicephalus evertsi evertsi was recovered from horses in all nine provinces of South Africa and R. decoloratus in eight provinces. Donkeys were infested with eight tick species, and 81.6% were infested with R. evertsi evertsi, 23.7% with A. hebraeum and 10.5% with R. decoloratus. Several tick species collected from the horses and donkeys are the vectors of economically important diseases of livestock. Rhipicephalus evertsi evertsi is the vector of Theileria equi, the causative organism of equine piroplasmosis. It also transmits Anaplasma marginale, the causative organism of anaplasmosis in cattle. Amblyomma hebraeum is the vector of Ehrlichia ruminantium, the causative organism of heartwater in cattle, sheep and goats, whereas R. decoloratus transmits Babesia bigemina, the causative organism of babesiosis in cattle.

scholarly journals A comparison between tick species collected in a controlled and control free area on a game ranch in South Africa

2013 ◽  
Vol 84 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Bradley Schroder ◽  
Brian K. Reilly
Keyword(s):  
South Africa ◽  
Tick Species ◽  
Rhipicephalus Appendiculatus ◽  
Limpopo Province ◽  
Ixodid Ticks ◽  
Boophilus Decoloratus ◽  
Haemaphysalis Elliptica ◽  
The Difference ◽  
Hyalomma Rufipes ◽  
And Control

Despite the large number of collection records, there are no recent collections of ixodid ticks of this magnitude in the Waterberg area, Limpopo Province, South Africa. Free-living ticks on a commercial game farm were obtained by a total of 432 drag-samples in eight sample sites from September 2003 to August 2008. The ticks were collected to establish the difference between tick species and densities associated with acaricide-controlled (semi-intensive) and control-free areas on a game farm in the Thabazimbi District, Limpopo Province, South Africa. A total of eight tick species were collected, namely Amblyomma hebraeum, Rhipicephalus (Boophilus) decoloratus, Haemaphysalis elliptica, Hyalomma rufipes, Rhipicephalus appendiculatus, Rhipicephalus evertsi evertsi, Rhipicephalus zambeziensis and Rhipicephalus spp. The most abundant tick species collected was Rhipicephalus (Boophilus) decoloratus. The difference in species and numbers reflects the effectiveness of acaricide treatment against ticks and its relevance to tick numbers on a game farm.

scholarly journals Ticks on crested francolins, Francolinus sephaena, and on the vegetation on a farm in Limpopo Province, South Africa : research communication

2005 ◽  
Vol 72 (4) ◽  
Author(s):  
A.C. Uys ◽  
I.G. Horak
Keyword(s):  
South Africa ◽  
Tick Species ◽  
Tick Infestation ◽  
Ixodid Tick ◽  
Rhipicephalus Appendiculatus ◽  
Limpopo Province ◽  
Immature Stages ◽  
Amblyomma Hebraeum ◽  
Boophilus Decoloratus ◽  
Rhipicephalus Evertsi Evertsi

Ticks were collected at approximately bi-monthly intervals between June 1996 and June 1997 from crested francolins, Francolinus sephaena, and from the vegetation on a mixed cattle and wildlife farm in Limpopo Province, South Africa. The birds were infested with the immature stages of 13 tick species, of which Amblyomma hebraeum, Amblyomma marmoreum and Hyalomma marginatumrufipes were the most numerous and prevalent. Ten ixodid tick species were collected from the vegetation, of which the immature stages of Rhipicephalus appendiculatus, Rhipicephalus (Boophilus) decoloratus and Rhipicephalus evertsi evertsi were the most numerous. No adult ticks were collected from the birds and only two from the vegetation. The restricted home range of crested francolins implies that they could serve as a source of tick infestation only for other animals within the same habitat as the birds.

scholarly journals Ticks associated with the three largest wild ruminant species in Southern Africa

2007 ◽  
Vol 74 (3) ◽  
Author(s):  
I.G. Horak ◽  
H. Golezardy ◽  
A.C. Uys
Keyword(s):  
Ixodid Tick ◽  
Rhipicephalus Appendiculatus ◽  
Ixodid Ticks ◽  
Amblyomma Hebraeum ◽  
Wild Ruminant ◽  
Ruminant Species ◽  
Boophilus Decoloratus ◽  
Ixodes Rubicundus ◽  
Rhipicephalus Evertsi Evertsi ◽  
Host Status

The objective of this study was to assess the host status of the three largest southern African wild ruminants, namely giraffes, Giraffa camelopardalis, African buffaloes, Syncerus caffer, and eland, Taurotragus oryx for ixodid ticks. To this end recently acquired unpublished data are added here to already published findings on the tick burdens of these animals, and the total numbers and species of ticks recorded on 12 giraffes, 18 buffaloes and 36 eland are summarized and discussed. Twenty-eight ixodid tick species were recovered. All stages of development of ten species, namely Amblyomma hebraeum, Rhipicephalus (Boophilus) decoloratus, Haemaphysalis silacea, Ixodes pilosus group, Margaropus winthemi, Rhipicephalus appendiculatus, Rhipicephalus evertsi evertsi, Rhipicephalus glabroscutatum, Rhipicephalus maculates and Rhipicephalus muehlensi were collected. The adults of 13 species, of which the immature stages use small mammals as hosts, namely Haemaphysalis aciculifer, Hyalomma glabrum, Hyalomma marginatum rufipes, Hyalomma truncatum, Ixodes rubicundus, Rhipicephalus capensis, Rhipicephalus exophthalmos, Rhipicephalus follis, Rhipicephalus gertrudae, Rhipicephalus lounsburyi, Rhipicephalus lunulatus, Rhipicephalus pravus group and Rhipicephalus simus, were also collected.

scholarly journals Impact of fall armyworm (Spodoptera frugiperda) (J.E. Smith) on small-scale maize farmers and its control strategies in the Limpopo province, South Africa

2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Mankwana C. Makgoba ◽  
Phumudzo P. Tshikhudo ◽  
Livhuwani R. Nnzeru ◽  
Rudzani A. Makhado
Keyword(s):  
South Africa ◽  
Spodoptera Frugiperda ◽  
Control Strategies ◽  
Fall Armyworm ◽  
Limpopo Province ◽  
Control Measures ◽  
Small Scale ◽  
Local Market ◽  
Cropping Season ◽  
Small Scale Farmers

South Africa experienced major outbreaks of fall armyworm (Spodoptera frugiperda) (J.E. Smith) (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae), causing direct damage by feeding on both vegetative and reproductive parts of host plant. The study was conducted to determine the level of impact of fall armyworm on small-scale maize famers after the outbreak of fall armyworm and their control strategies at Ga-Mashashane and Mankweng villages in the Limpopo province. Semi-structured questionnaire was designed to gather information on the damage caused by fall armyworm, economic impact on the local market and control measures on fall armyworm. Using a snowball sampling procedure, 63 small-scale maize farmers from the two villages of the Limpopo province, South Africa, were randomly selected for this study. The results showed that all participants could correctly identify the fall armyworm and reported it as the most important maize pest during 2016–2017 cropping season. The maize yield loss experienced by affected farmers in the 2016–2017 cropping season was slightly lower as compared with the 2015–2016 harvest. These farmers used pesticides as a control measure for fall armyworm. Fall armyworm has become a major pest in South Africa and the tackling of fall armyworm by small-scale farmers and averting yield losses is thus critical. This study contributes to the knowledge on fall armyworm management by small-scale farmers, which is essential to enhancing food security.

Ecological studies of larval ticks in South Africa (Acarina: Ixodidae)

Parasitology ◽  
1972 ◽  
Vol 65 (3) ◽  
pp. 469-490 ◽  
Author(s):  
J. G. H. Londt ◽  
G. B. Whitehead
Keyword(s):  
South Africa ◽  
Relative Humidity ◽  
Water Balance ◽  
Field Data ◽  
Amblyomma Hebraeum ◽  
Ecological Studies ◽  
Saturation Deficit ◽  
Vegetation Height ◽  
Boophilus Decoloratus ◽  
Glass Rods

The distribution of larval ticks in relation to vegetation cover was studied on two coastal farms in the Port Alfred district of the Cape Province. The following five species were found: Boophilus decoloratus (Koch), Amblyomma hebraeum Koch, Ixodes pilosus Koch, Haemaphysalis silacea Robinson and Rhipicephalus evertsi Neumann. B. decoloratus predominated in short protected vegetation, I. pilosus and H. silacea in short covered vegetation and A. hebraeum in medium-to-tall protected vegetation. R. evertsi was collected in too small numbers to allow any correlation to be established. Both I. pilosus and H. silacea demonstrated activity peaks during the winter months. Microclimatic measurements indicated that larval ticks were not usually collected in microhabitats which experienced midday saturation deficits in excess of approximately 10 mm Hg. Behavioural studies on larval ticks climbing glass rods demonstrated the possible association of larvae with a definite vegetation height. The optimal vegetation heights were correlated with field data. The water balance of some tick species was studied and it was found that at 26 °C a relative humidity of 70% or more (i.e. above 7·53 mm Hg saturation deficit) was required by these larvae. Larvae lost water to the atmosphere at humidities lower than this value and took up water vapour from the atmosphere at values higher than 70% R.H. They were shown to be able to imbibe water through the mouthparts, and this possibly has survival value.

scholarly journals Ixodid ticks on cattle belonging to small-scale farmers at 4 communal grazing areas in South Africa

2002 ◽  
Vol 73 (3) ◽  
Author(s):  
N.R. Bryson ◽  
G.A. Tice ◽  
I.G. Horak ◽  
C.G. Stewart ◽  
B.J.A. Du Plessis
Keyword(s):  
South Africa ◽  
Rhipicephalus Appendiculatus ◽  
Ixodid Ticks ◽  
Small Scale ◽  
Amblyomma Hebraeum ◽  
North West ◽  
The North ◽  
North West Province ◽  
Rhipicephalus Evertsi Evertsi ◽  
Small Scale Farmers

Ixodid ticks were collected during the period September 1991 to August 1993 from cattle belonging to small-scale farmers utilising 4 communal grazing areas. Three of these were in North West Province and 1 in Mpumalanga province, South Africa. Ten tick species were collected in North West Province and 7 in Mpumalanga. The adults of Amblyomma hebraeum, Rhipicephalus appendiculatus and Rhipicephalus evertsi evertsi were most numerous in North West Province, while in Mpumalanga Boophilus decoloratus comprised more than 75% of the total population. Amblyomma hebraeum was present on all grazing areas, and heavy infestations of adults occurred during the period October to May on 1 of these. Few B. decoloratus were collected in North West Province, chiefly because the sampling method was inadequate, and most of these were present during early summer (October to December) and late summer and autumn (March to May). The initially low population of B. decoloratus in Mpumalanga increased substantially towards the conclusion of the survey, probably because of the cessation of dipping. Boophilus microplus was present in small numbers on 2 grazing areas in the North West Province. Adult Hyalomma marginatum rufipes reached peak numbers from December to February and Hyalomma truncatum from February to April in the North West Province. Only H. marginatum rufipes was collected in Mpumalanga. Rhipicephalus appendiculatus was present on all the grazing areas, with most adults present from December to April. Most adult Rhipicephalus evertsi evertsi were collected from September to April and Rhipicephalus simus was present during the period October-April.

scholarly journals A checklist of spiders from Sovenga Hill, an inselberg in the Savanna Biome, Limpopo Province, South Africa (Arachnida: Araneae)

Koedoe ◽  
2005 ◽  
Vol 48 (2) ◽  
Author(s):  
M.A. Modiba ◽  
S.M. Dippenaar ◽  
A.S. Dippenaar-Schoeman
Keyword(s):  
South Africa ◽  
South African ◽  
National Survey ◽  
Abundant Species ◽  
Limpopo Province ◽  
The South ◽  
Quantitative Survey ◽  
Rich Family ◽  
Collecting Methods

The South African National Survey of Arachnida (SANSA) was initiated to make an inventory of the arachnid fauna of South Africa. Various projects are underway to prepare inventories of the spider fauna of the different floral biomes and provinces of South Africa. During April and May 2004 five different collecting methods were sed to sample spiders from four slopes on Sovenga Hill, an inselberg situated in the Savanna Biome, near Polokwane, in the Limpopo Province of South Africa. A total of 793 specimens represented by 29 families, 62 genera and 76 species were recorded over the twomonth period. The Thomisidae was the most abundant (n = 167) representing 21.1 % of all spiders sampled, followed by the Gnaphosidae (n = 101) with 12.7 % and the Lycosidae (n = 77) with 9.7 %. The most abundant species was a thomisid Tmarus comellini Garcia-Neto (n = 82), representing 10.3 % of the total, followed by a clubionid Clubiona godfreyi Lessert (n = 66) with 8.3 %. The Thomisidae was the most species-rich family with 12 species, followed by the Gnaphosidae with 11 species and the Araneidae with 10 species. Of the species collected 83.9 % were wandering spiders and 16.1 % web builders. This is the first quantitative survey of the Savanna Biome in the Polokwane area.

scholarly journals The prevalence of Cowdria ruminantium in free-living adult Amblyomma hebraeum collected at a communal grazing area and in 2 wildlife reserves in South Africa : short communication

2002 ◽  
Vol 73 (3) ◽  
Author(s):  
N.R. Bryson ◽  
I.G. Horak ◽  
E.H. Venter ◽  
S.M. Mahan ◽  
B. Simbi ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
South Africa ◽  
National Park ◽  
Kruger National Park ◽  
Pcr Analysis ◽  
Amblyomma Hebraeum ◽  
Free Living ◽  
Cowdria Ruminantium ◽  
Game Reserve ◽  
Grazing Area ◽  
The One

In order to detect the prevalence of Cowdria ruminantium in the vector tick, Amblyomma hebraeum, free-living, unfed adult ticks were collected with the aid of pheromone/CO2 traps. Ticks were collected at the Rietgat communal grazing area, as well as in the southwestern Kruger National Park and in the Songimvelo Game Reserve, all located in heartwater-endemic areas of South Africa. The presence of C. ruminantium in these ticks was determined by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) analysis. Ticks from the Rietgat communal grazing area were assayed in 2 batches and 4.7% of the one and 11.3% of the other were positive for infection, while 5.7% of the ticks collected in the Kruger National Park and 25% in the Songimvelo Game Reserve were positive. These results support the contention that a vector-wildlife cycle of transmission of C. ruminantium, the cause of heartwater in domestic ruminants, can be maintained in the absence of the latter animals.

A report of the free-living freshwater planktonic copepods from an ephemeral pool in Limpopo Province, South Africa, with the description of Microcyclops raynerae n. sp.

Crustaceana ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 92 (5) ◽  
pp. 555-575
Author(s):  
Peral Mnisi ◽  
Susan M. Dippenaar
Keyword(s):  
South Africa ◽  
New Species ◽  
New Records ◽  
Limpopo Province ◽  
Aquatic Habitats ◽  
Free Living ◽  
Ephemeral Pools ◽  
Freshwater Habitats ◽  
New Geographical Record ◽  
A New Species

Abstract Ephemeral pools are biologically important habitats for species adapted to survive through a dry phase. Unfortunately, these pools have been neglected in studies. Copepods are essential in aquatic habitats mainly because of their importance in the food web. Currently there are only 34 species reported from freshwater habitats in South Africa. This study was conducted in an ephemeral pool (Limpopo Province, South Africa). Qualitative sampling was done monthly (December 2014 to June 2015) using a plankton net and specimens were studied through a light microscope. Seven species were collected, three from Calanoida and four from Cyclopoida, including a new species, Microcyclops raynerae. Seven species represent quite a high biodiversity of copepods from a single pool when compared with similar studies previously done in South Africa. The report of Tropocyclops confinis constitutes a new geographical record from South Africa while all other collected species are new records from the Limpopo Province.

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