Tick fauna of Malaysian red jungle fowl (Gallus gallus) in Bangi, Malaysia
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Date
2015-09-10
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
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Publisher
Veterinary World
Abstract
Aim: The red jungle fowl is generally considered as one of the endangered Asian wild Galleopheasants due to manmade
encroachment of their habitats, coupled with the effect of disease and disease causing organisms like ticks and tickborne
infections. This study aimed to determine the tick fauna of the red jungle fowl and their predilection sites based on
developmental stages.
Materials and Methods: A total of 33 jungle fowls were sampled for this study from Bangi area of Selangor State,
Peninsular Malaysian. The birds were captured using a locally made trap made-up of loops and bites. Ticks present on their
bodies were detached using fine forceps and identified morphologically under a dissecting microscope.
Results: 91% of the jungle fowls were infested with ticks, all of which belongs to the species Haemaphysalis wellingtoni.
The ear region appeared to be the most common predilection site (63%) for all the developmental stages in which the larval
stages are solely restricted to that region. Nymphal and adult stages were distributed on the comb, wattle, and facial region
in addition to the ear region.
Conclusion: This study was the first in its kind and showed a high prevalence of tick infestation among jungle fowls.
H. wellingtoni was known to be a vector in transmission of many tick-borne pathogens. Therefore, there is the need for
further investigation to identify the various pathogens associated with this tick.
Description
Keywords
Bangi, Malaysia, red jungle fowl, tick fauna
Citation
Konto, M., Fufa, G.I., Zakaria, A., Tukur, S.M., Watanabe, M., Ola-Fadunsin, S.D., Khan, M.S., Shettima, Y.M. and Babjee, S.M.A. (2015). Tick fauna of Malaysian red jungle fowl (Gallus gallus) in Bangi, Malaysia. Veterinary World. 8: 1167-1171. doi: 10.14202/vetworld.2015.1167-1171