Journal of Veterinary Parasitology

A total of 3590 buffaloes were examined from eighteen districts of five major agro-climatic zones of Punjab state, India. The association between agro-climatic zones and the prevalence of ixodid ticks on animals was investigated by multivariate logistic regression. The overall prevalence of ixodid ticks, Rhipicephalus (Boophilus) microplus, Hyalomma anatolicum anatolicum and mixed infestations were 57.68, 31.83, 19.08 and 6.76%, respectively. The results of multivariate analysis showed that the prevalence was associated with district (P<0.001; OR: 3.581; CI 95%: 2.30–5.59) and agro-climatic zones (P<0.001; OR: 9.065; CI 95%: 2.16–38.12). Among the various agro-climatic zones highest prevalence of R. (B.) microplus and H. a. anatolicum were recorded from zones receiving maximum and minimum annual rainfall, respectively thus indicating that R. (B.) microplus prefers a hot and humid environment whereas, arid and semi arid conditions suit better for H. a. anatolicum. The findings of the current study would provide a basis for evolving effective control strategy for the management of ticks in buffalo population of the region.