Ticks (Acari: Ixodidae) Associated with Wildlife and Vegetation of Haller Park along the Kenyan Coastline

Abstract

This artcile describes the results obtained from a tick survey conducted in Haller park along the Kenyan coastline. The survey aimed at evaluating tickÐhost associations, assessing tick population density, and providing baseline information for planning future tick control and management in the park. Ticks (2,968) were collected by handpicking from eight species of wildlife and by dragging in 14 selected sites within the park. A considerable proportion of ticks were also collected from leaves, stems, and bark of most dominant trees, namely, Casuarina equisetifolia L. (Forst. & Forst.), Cocos nucifera L., Adansonia digitata L., Musa paradisiaca L., and Azadiracta indica Adr. Juss. Dragging was conducted in sites predominantly occupied by Cynodon dactylon L. (Pers.), Cenchrus ciliarisL.,StenotaphrumdimidiatumL.(Kuntze.)Brongn.,andBrachiariaxantholeucaHack.ExSchinz Stapf. and Loudetia kagerensis K. Schum. Hutch. Eight tick species were identiÞed, and the collection included Rhipicephalus pravus Do ¨nitz 1910, Rhipicephalus pulchellus Gersta ¨cker 1873, Hyalomma marginatum rufipes Koch 1844, Amblyomma gemma Do ¨nitz 1910, Amblyomma hebraeum Koch 1844, Amblyomma sparsum Neumann 1899, Amblyomma nuttalli Do ¨nitz 1909, and Boophilus decoloratus Koch 1844. Given that the identiÞed tick species are known to parasitize humans as well as livestock, there exist risks of emergence of zoonotic infections mediated by tick vectors. In the recreational environment of Haller park, where tick vectors share habitats with hosts, there is a need to develop sustainableandeffectivetickcontrolandmanagementstrategiestominimizeeconomiclossesthattick infestation may cause.