Identification of small ruminant external parasite species in Tanqua Abergelle and Kola Tembien districts of Tigray region, Northern Ethiopia

Ectoparasites are a major concern in sheep and goat flocks, wherever sheep and goat are kept. A cross-sectional study was carried out in the districts of Kola Tembien and Tanqua Abergelle from September 2014 to June 2017 with the objectives of identifying external parasites to their species level. Randomly selected sheep and goats were clinically examined for the presence of ectoparasites or lesions and identified in National Animal Health Diagnostic and Investigation Center (NAHDIC) by using taxonomical and entomological examination. A total of 237 sheep and goats were examined randomly for the presence of external parasites. Eight species of external parasites were identified and found on both species of animals. The species of external parasites with their prevalence included Amblyomma variegatum (35.4%), Rhipicephalus parvus (22.8%), Rhipicephalus praetextatus (8.4%), Rhipicephalus pulchellus (7.6%), Ctenocephalides felis felis (5.1%), Linognathus africanus (11.8%), Rhipicephalus evertsi (2.5%), Hyalomma truncatum (6.5%). Both in sheep and goats, there was no significant difference between infestation of external parasites and the associated risk factors except for Amblyomma variegatum which was higher in Tanqua Abergelle (25.7%) than Kola Tembien (9.7%). The odd of infestation by Amblyomma variegatum in goat was 3.5 higher than in sheep. To minimize the prevalence of external parasites urgent and well-coordinated external parasites control measures should be taken.