Identification and Distribution of Tick Species in Cattle in Eastern Bhutan
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University of Calgary PRISM: University of Calgary's Digital Repository Graduate Studies The Vault: Electronic Theses and Dissertations 2020-11-04 Identification and Distribution of Tick Species in Cattle in Eastern Bhutan Namgyal, Jamyang Namgyal, J. (2020). Identification and Distribution of Tick Species in Cattle in Eastern Bhutan (Unpublished master's thesis). University of Calgary, Calgary, AB. http://hdl.handle.net/1880/112725 master thesis University of Calgary graduate students retain copyright ownership and moral rights for their thesis. You may use this material in any way that is permitted by the Copyright Act or through licensing that has been assigned to the document. For uses that are not allowable under copyright legislation or licensing, you are required to seek permission. Downloaded from PRISM: https://prism.ucalgary.ca UNIVERSITY OF CALGARY Identification and Distribution of Tick Species in Cattle in Eastern Bhutan by Jamyang Namgyal A THESIS SUBMITTED TO THE FACULTY OF GRADUATE STUDIES IN PARTIAL FULFILMENT OF THE REQUIREMENTS FOR THE DEGREE OF MASTER OF SCIENCE GRADUATE PROGRAM IN VETERINARY MEDICAL SCIENCES CALGARY, ALBERTA NOVEMBER, 2020 © Jamyang Namgyal 2020 Abstract Tick infestation is the most reported parasitological problem in cattle in Bhutan. Its negative impacts on the health and production of cattle affect the livelihoods of resource-poor subsistence farmers. However, the current knowledge of tick species diversity, infestation prevalence, geographic distribution, and farmers’ perception on tick prevention and control practices is limited. Therefore, the objectives of this research were to 1) determine the presence, diversity and infestation prevalence of tick species in cattle in two districts of eastern Bhutan using a targeted field survey; 2) model the habitat suitability of selected tick species identified in these two districts using the MaxEnt modeling approach; and 3) assess the knowledge, attitude, and practices (KAP) of ticks and tick-borne diseases (TBDs) among cattle farmers in a selected area of eastern Bhutan. In May and June 2019, 3600 live adult ticks were collected from 240 cattle and morphologically identified to the species level. In June 2019, 246 cattle owners were interviewed using a structured questionnaire. Four genera and six species of ticks were found. These were Rhipicephalus microplus (Canestrini) (70.2%), Rhipicephalus haemaphysaloides Supino (18.8%), Haemaphysalis bispinosa Neumann (8.2%), Haemaphysalis spinigera Neumann (2.5%), Amblyomma testudinarium Koch (n=7), and an unidentified species of Ixodes (n=1). For all tick species except A. testudinarium and Ixodes sp., the high altitude northeastern part and the low altitude southernmost part of the study area were predicted as areas with a very low probability of tick(s) presence. The KAP study identified only 52% of the farmers with adequate knowledge about ticks as vectors of diseases and 36% with a favorable attitude toward tick control programs. The findings from this research are expected to guide the planning and implementation of effective tick prevention and control measures in Bhutan. Keywords: ticks, cattle, habitat suitability modeling, MaxEnt, KAP, Bhutan ii Acknowledgments The past two years in the University of Calgary graduate program was a wonderful learning experience. Foremost, I would like to extend my gratitude to my supervisor, Dr. Susan Catherine Cork, for the opportunity to pursue my post-graduate master’s research program. Thank you for your exceptional guidance and support. I really do not know how I can justify the time and support you provided during this entire journey. I acknowledge the members of my supervisory committee, Dr. Tim J. Lysyk, Dr. Carl Ribble, and Dr. Sylvia Checkley, for their insights, commitment, guidance, and support during this entire program. This work would not have been possible without your guidance and feedback. I want to emphasize my deep gratitude to Dr. Susan Catherine Cork and Dr. Tim J. Lysyk for visiting Bhutan to guide me through my fieldwork. Your guidance and advice in research and entomology were invaluable to me. I thank Dr. Isabelle Couloigner for her passionate involvement, guidance, and support for my entire work. Your kindness and patience during our long sessions on modeling techniques were really amazing. And thank you for cheering me up when my learning curve was too steep. I would also like to thank Dr. Shaun Derguosoff, Research Scientist, Agriculture and Agri Food Canada for his valuable insights. Thank you, Shaun! I look forward to working with you in the future. I would like to express my gratitude to Dr. Sithar Dorjee, Director, Khesar Gyelpo University of Medical Sciences, Bhutan, for agreeing to be my mentor in Bhutan and for his support during my fieldwork in Bhutan. I would like to thank Dr. Ratna B Gurung, Program Director, National Centre for Animal Health (NCAH), Bhutan, and Dr. Tenzin, Veterinary iii Epidemiologist, NCAH, for their valuable insights, guidance and support while working on this project. I would like to thank Dr. Tashi Samdrup, former Director General, Department of Livestock (DoL), Ministry of Agriculture and Forests (MoAF), Dr. Karma Rinzin, former Chief Veterinary Officer, DoL, Dr. Tshering Dorjee, former Regional Director, RLDC, Kanglung, Dr. Kinzang Drukpa, former Program Director, NCAH, Dr. Kesang Wangchuk, Principal Research Officer, DoL, Dr. Narapati Dahal, and Dr. Karma Wangdi, Animal Health Division, DoL, Dr. Ugyen Namgyel, NCAH, Dr. Karma Phuntsho, Satellite Veterinary Laboratory, Nganglam, Pema Gatshel, and Mr. N S Tamang, District Livestock Officer, Trashigang for their support during my fieldwork in Bhutan. My special acknowledgment goes to my colleagues at Trashigang, Mr. Tashi Norbu, Mr. Phurba Wangdi, Mr. Kinley Tenzin, Mr. Lhatru, Mr. Rinzin Namgay, Mr. Jigme Choeda, Ms. Deki Jamtsho, Ms. Karma Wangmo and Mr. Kunzang Namgyal for their help in interviewing survey participants during my fieldwork. I also acknowledge the support of veterinary laboratory technicians, Mr. Lungten, Mr. Tenzinla, and Ms. Tshewang Dema during my fieldwork in Bhutan. Many thanks go to friends in Bhutan. Thank you, Ata Sangay Rinchen, for your guidance and support during my entire MSc journey. Ever since our BVSc & AH days in Pondicherry, India, you have been shouldering the role of an elder brother to me. I am forever indebted to you. Thank you, Ata Jigme Wangchuk, Thimphu, Aum Norbu Doelma, Chukha, and Ata Namgay Dorji, Program Director, NCA, Gelephu, for motivating me to navigate through the various challenges of my MSc journey. iv It was really wonderful time and experience, sharing time and office with graduate colleagues from different parts of the world (Mohammad Nazari, Karma Phuntsho, Fernando Guardado, Mai Farghaly, Paul Burden, Abraham Munene, Phil Rasmussen, Lindsay Rogers, Heather, Kelly, Alyssa, Kayla, Summer, Ana, Catalina, Shanas, and Sabrina). Thank you all for your warm friendship. I would like to acknowledge the Department of Ecosystem and Public Health administrative staff, Robert Forsyth and Joy Punsalan, for their help and support in all the administration related works. Thank you, Rob and Joy. I would like to acknowledge the journal clubs that have contributed to my learning. Thank you, Dr. Sylvia Checkley (One Health Journal Club), Dr. Karin Orsel (Epidemiology Journal Club), and Dr. David Hall (Livestock Policy Journal Club) for providing an interesting learning platform. I would like to thank the Royal Government of Bhutan for allowing me to pursue this master’s program. I also appreciate the One Health Graduate Training Award and the University International Grants that facilitated my research. Finally, I would like to thank my wife, Mrs. Tenzin Dema, and son Jamyang R Namgyal for letting me take this incredible journey. And a very special thanks to my parents, siblings, relatives, and friends for their support and encouragement. v Dedication This work is dedicated to my son Jamyang R Namgyal, the anchor of my life and the hero of my family. vi Table of Contents Abstract ....................................................................................................................................... ii Acknowledgments ....................................................................................................................... iii Dedication ................................................................................................................................... vi Table of Contents ....................................................................................................................... vii List of Tables ............................................................................................................................... x List of Figures ............................................................................................................................ xii List of Abbreviations ................................................................................................................. xiv Chapter 1 Introduction and literature review........................................................................... 1 1.1 Introduction and study objectives .............................................................................................. 1 1.2 Literature review ...................................................................................................................... 5 1.2.1 Classification of ticks ........................................................................................................