TABANIDS (DIPTERA: TABANIDAE) FAUNA COMPOSITION IN DIFFERENT SITES AND BIOTOPES OF FAR-NORTH, CAMEROON
A. MAMOUDOU *
Department of Parasitology and Parasitological Disease, School of Veterinary Medicine and Sciences, University of Ngaoundéré, P.O.Box 454, Ngaoundéré, Cameroon
M. MARCELINE
Department of Parasitology and Parasitological Disease, School of Veterinary Medicine and Sciences, University of Ngaoundéré, P.O.Box 454, Ngaoundéré, Cameroon
F. SUH PIERRE
Department of Animal Biology and Physiology, Parasitology and Ecology Laboratory, Faculty of Science, University of Yaounde I, P.O.Box 812, Yaounde, Cameroon
S. LENDZELE
Vector-Borne Infectious Disease Unit, Laboratory of Applied Biology and Ecology (VBID-LABEA), Department of Animal Biology, Faculty of Science, University of Dschang, P.O.Box 067, Dschang, Cameroon
F. OUMAROU
Mission Spéciale d'Eradication des Glossines, Ngaoundéré, Cameroon
R. GARABED
Department of Veterinary Preventive Medicine, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH, USA
M. KINGSLEY
Institute of Agricultural Research for Development (IRAD), Wakwa Regional Centre, Ngaoundéré, P.O.Box 65, Ngaoundéré, Cameroon
A. DANIEL MBUNKAH
TOZA Research Foundation, P.O.Box 59, Bambili, North West Region, Cameroon
*Author to whom correspondence should be addressed.
Abstract
Background: Mechanical vectors were a major constraint to livestock activities in Camp sites of the Ndiam shinwa rangeland in Maga, Far north region of Cameroon from March to April 2015.
Aim: This work seeks to identify, determine the abundance (with respect to site, period of collection and type of biotope) as well as the observed host preference of tabanid flies.
Methodology: Tabanids were sampled with Nzi traps (N=20), with trap rotation (after 1-2 days) in each site varied from 7-12 traps according to site surface area. Collection was carried out in two sessions, from 6 am-12 noon and 1-6 pm. Flies were identified using standard keys. A total of 11,091 tabanid flies were captured throughout the survey period.
Results: Tabanids were identified and presented in order of decreasing numbers in percentages: Atylotus agrestis 10,215 (92.10%), Tabanus taeniola 857 (7.73%), Tabanus par 18 (0.16%) and Ancala sp. 1 (0.01%). The overall mean apparent density of tabanids was 21.48 fly/trap/day and with respect to site in decreasing order as such: Diddel tanne (39.69 f/t/d), Kanaide (29.69 f/t/d), Doulam (15.60 f/t/d), Yanga (12.72 f/t/d) and Kalang (9.68 f/t/d) with a significant (P<0.05) difference. Tabanids were observed to be more active in the evening collection periods than morning with a significant (F=24.18, P<0.05) difference. Tabanids were significantly (F=3.53, P<0.05) more abundant in marshy grassland as compared to woodland.
Conclusion: Tabanids were observed to be present around low and average cattle and small ruminants, but abundant in high domestic bird and donkey populated areas. Therefore, information on tabanids species composition in different sites and biotopes and observed host preference will be a useful decision-making tool in the planning for their control and bovine trypanosomosis eradication operations in Maga in the Far north region of Cameroon.
Keywords: Mechanical vectors, tabanids, bovine trypanosomosis, observed host preference, Ndiam Shinwa