The aim of this study was to determine the species composition of questing ixodid ticks on the vegetation in intensive breeding enclosures for sable antelopes (Hippotragus niger), on which strategic tick control is practiced, and to compare it with that of questing ixodid ticks in a multi-species herbivore enclosure surrounding the breeding enclosures, and where no tick control is practiced. A total of eight ixodid tick species were collected namely, Amblyomma hebraeum, Amblyomma marmoreum, Haemaphysalis elliptica, Rhipicephalus appendiculatus, Rhipicephalus decoloratus, Rhipicephalus evertsi evertsi, Rhipicephalus simus and Rhipicephalus zambeziensis. A. marmoreum was only collected in the intensive breeding enclosures and H. elliptica only in the multiple herbivore species enclosure, whilst the remaining tick species were collected in both enclosures. The study was also designed to determine the abundance, seasonal abundance and proportion of ixodid tick larvae collected in the sable antelope breeding enclosures as well as in the multi-species herbivore enclosure and to compare the population dynamics of tick species in the respective enclosures with particular emphasis on R. decoloratus. R. decoloratus accounted for 65.4% of the total number ticks collected in the sable enclosures, whilst it represented only 24.3% of the total number of ticks collected in the multi-species herbivore camp. R. decoloratus was more abundant than A. hebraeum and R. appendiculatus in the woodlands of the sable antelope enclosures whilst R. decoloratus and R. evertsi evertsi were more abundant in grassland habitats of the sable antelope enclosures than both A. hebraeum and R. appendiculatus. R. decoloratus larvae were collected throughout the year with peak collections in November 2012 and between October and December 2013 in the sable breeding enclosures, and in April and May 2012 and February and April 2013 in the multi-species herbivore enclosure. The numbers of R. decoloratus larvae collected in the sable breeding enclosures increased significantly during the study period (p≤0.020). / Dissertation (MSc)--University of Pretoria, 2014. / gm2014 / Veterinary Tropical Diseases / unrestricted

No description available.

The Republic of South Africa is rich in the species of large and small wild herbivores and ixodid ticks that infest them and the domestic livestock within its borders. The primary objective of this study was to determine the species composition and actual size of the tick burdens of a variety of small and large herbivorous animals in several localities in South Africa. To this end a total of 95 wild herbivores ranging in size from hares to giraffes and belonging to 25 species were examined at 20 various localities in South Africa. The survey localities in alphabetical sequence were the Addo Elephant National Park, “Bucklands” farm, the Eastern Shores Nature Reserve, the Hluhluwe Nature Reserve, the Karoo National Park, the Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park, a farm at Kirkwood, eight localities within the Kruger National Park, the Mountain Zebra National Park, the Tembe Elephant Reserve, the Thomas Baines Nature Reserve, the Umfolozi Nature Reserve, and the West Coast National Park. Sampling took place between 1982 and 1996. The animal species surveyed were giraffe, Giraffa camelopardalis; African buffalo, Syncerus caffer; eland Taurotragus oryx; Burchell’s zebra, Equus burchelli; black wildbeest, Connochaetes gnou; blue wildbeest, Connochaetes taurinus; tsessebe, Damaliscus lunatus; Lichtenstein’s hartebeest, Sigmoceros lichtensteinii; bontebok, Damalisus pygargus dorcas; red hartebeest, Alcelaphus buselaphus; nyala, Tragelaphus angasii; bushbuck, Tragelaphus scriptus; greater kudu, Tragelaphus strepsiceros; gemsbok, Oryx gazella; springbok, Antidorcas marsupialis; grey rhebok, Pelea capreolus; mountain reedbuck, Redunca fulvorufula; boer goats, Capra hircus; a domestic calf, Bos sp.; suni, Neotragus moschatus; steenbok, Raphicerus campestris; rock hyrax, Procavia capensis; cape ground squirrels, Xerus inauris; scrub hares, Lepus saxatilis; and Smith’s red rock rabbits, Pronolagus rupestris. Ticks were collected from the survey animals after they had been killed by a process of soaking in a tick-detaching agent followed by scrubbing and sieving, or by careful scrutiny after the animals had been chemically immobilized. Thirty ixodid tick species, namely Amblyomma hebraeum, Amblyomma marmoreum, Rhipicephalus (Boophilus) decoloratus, Haemaphysalis parmata, Haemaphysalis silacea, Hyalomma glabrum, Hyalomma marginatum rufipes, Hyalomma truncatum, Ixodes rubicundus, Ixodes pilosus group, Margaropus winthemi, Rhipicephalus appendiculatus, Rhipicephalus arnoldi, Rhipicephalus capensis, Rhipicephalus distinctus, Rhipicephalus evertsi evertsi, Rhipicephalus exophthalmos, Rhipicephalus follis, Rhipicephalus glabroscutatum, Rhipicephalus gertrudae, Rhipicephalus kochi, Rhipicephalus maculatus, Rhipicephalus muehlensi, Rhipicephalus neumanni, Rhipicephalus sp. near pravus, Rhipicephalus theileri, Rhipicephalus simus, Rhipicephalus zambeziensis, and an unidentified Ixodes and Rhipicephalus species were recovered from the animals. All the tick species recovered in this study have been tabulated according to their distributions within the climatic zone of the Republic of South Africa. A total of 64 of the abovementioned herbivores ranging in size from medium to very large, belonging to 15 various species were examined in 11 national parks, or nature reserves or farms during 1982 - 1996. The tick species infesting the medium and small-sized animals were to some extent similar to those of very large animals. The medium-sized survey animals mostly harboured A. hebraeum, R. (B.) decoloratus, R. appendiculatus, R. evertsi evertsi and R. glabroscutatum whereas the tick burdens of the very large antelopes consisted mostly of A. hebraeum, R. (B.) decoloratus, R. appendiculatus, R. maculatus and R. muehlensi. The very large hosts harboured proportionately more adult ticks than the smaller animals which harboured proportionately more immature ticks. An interesting finding was the recovery of Rhipicephalus sp. near R. pravus from giraffes in the north-eastern Mpumalanga province and these very closely resembled the true R. pravus which occurs in East Africa. A further objective of this study was to make an inventory of the ixodid tick species infesting wild animals in three of the western, semi-arid nature reserves in South Africa. To this end the tick burdens of a total of 45 animals in the Karoo National Park, the Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park and the West Coast National Park were determined. Fourteen ixodid tick species were recovered, of which H. truncatum, R. exophthalmos and R. glabroscutatum were commonly present in two reserves and the remaining species each only in one reserve. H. truncatum, R. capensis and R. glabroscutatum were the most numerous of the ticks recovered, and eland were the most heavily infested with the former two species and gemsbok and mountain reedbuck with R. glabroscutatum. Nine very small antelopes, six of which were steenbok and three were sunis and to my knowledge whose total tick burdens had never before been determined were also examined. The steenbok were examined in three nature reserves and harboured nine tick species and the sunis were examined in a fourth reserve and were infested with eight tick species. The steenbok and sunis were generally infested with the immature stages of the same tick species that infest larger animals in the same geographic regions. In addition the sunis harboured H. parmata, which in South Africa is present only in the eastern and north-eastern coastal and adjacent areas of KwaZulu-Natal Province. They were also infested with R. kochi, which in South Africa occurs only in the far north-east of the KwaZulu-Natal and Limpopo Provinces. A further objective of the study was to assess the host status of African buffaloes for the one-host tick R. (B.) decoloratus. To this end the R. (B.) decoloratus burdens of ten buffaloes examined in three north-eastern KwaZulu-Natal Province (KZN) nature reserves were compared with those of medium-sized to large antelope species in these reserves and in the southern Kruger National Park (KNP), Mpumalanga Province. The R. (B.) decoloratus burdens of the buffaloes were considerably smaller than those of the antelopes in the KNP, but not those in the KZN reserves. The life-stage structure of the R. (B.) decoloratus populations on the buffaloes, in which larvae predominated, was closer to that of this tick on blue wildebeest, a tick-resistant animal, than to that on other antelopes. A single buffalo examined in the KNP was not infested with R. (B.) decoloratus, whereas a giraffe, examined at the same locality and time, harboured a small number of ticks. In a nature reserve in Mpumalanga Province adjacent to the KNP, two immobilized buffaloes, from which only adult ticks were collected, were not infested with R. (B.) decoloratus, whereas greater kudus, examined during the same time of year in the KNP harboured large numbers of adult ticks of this species. African buffaloes would thus appear to be resistant to infestation with R. (B.) decoloratus, and this resistance is expressed as the prevention of the majority of tick larvae from developing to nymphs. / Dissertation (MSc (Veterinary Science))--University of Pretoria, 2006. / Veterinary Tropical Diseases / unrestricted

This study was conducted to understand the occurrence, diversity and epidemiology of tickborne diseases (TBDs) in a transhumant pastoral area of Karamoja Region, Uganda. We used participatory epidemiology (PE), involving focus group discussions (n = 24) with livestock keepers, 30 key informant interviews, review of previous surveillance data, clinical examinations, and laboratory confirmation of cases of TBDs, to define and prioritise cattle diseases, evaluate current control activities, and identify constraints to the control of TBDs. The livestock keepers regarded TBDs, particularly East Coast fever (ECF) and anaplasmosis, as the most important health problems in their cattle, based on morbidity and mortality rates, rates of transmission, treatment costs, difficulty in accessing the correct treatment, difficulty to control, and inadequate knowledge to manage the diseases. The main constraints to the control of TBDs were inadequate knowledge, inadequate veterinary services and limited availability of drugs. Hand picking of ticks was done by all pastoralists while hand spraying was done with under-strength acaricides, often at irregular intervals and with little acaricide wash. We determined the endemic status of TBDs in 20 randomly-selected cattle herds by estimating the proportion of annual ECF and anaplasmosis cases in different age groups of cattle using participatory approaches and clinical examinations, determining the diversity and abundance of ticks (161 cattle in 20 herds), and establishing the seroprevalence of antibodies to Theileria parva and Anaplasma marginale among cattle (n = 397 in 20 herds). Clinical examinations and informant interviews showed that TBDs affected all age groups of cattle. Two-thirds of the cattle were infested with moderate (37.3%, 11-50 ticks) to abundant (28.6%, > 50 ticks) numbers of ticks. Out of the 10,923 ticks collected, Rhipicephalus appendiculatus (54.4%) was the most abundant species followed by R. decoloratus (17.7%), Amblyomma variegatum (12%) and A. lepidum (11.6%). We collected tick species that are either rare in Uganda (A. lepidum, Hyalomma truncatum, A. gemma) or were not known to be present in the country (R. pulchellus). The true seroprevalence of antibodies to A. marginale was high (95.1%, 95% confidence interval [CI] 91.3% - 98.5%), while that of T. parva was low (16.5%, 95% CI 12.9% - 19.6%). We determined the presence of tick-borne haemoparasites among cattle and the prevalence of infections using reverse line blot (RLB) hybridisation and quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (qPCR), and characterised Theileria and Babesia species by sequence and phylogenetic analyses of the full-length 18S rRNA gene. The RLB hybridisation assay demonstrated the presence of tick-borne haemoparasites in most cattle (99.6%), mostly as mixed infections (97.5%). The most frequently-detected species were Theileria mutans (88.3%, 95% CI: 84.6-92.1%), A. marginale (73.8%: 68.3-79.2%), T. velifera (71.3%: 65.8-76.7%) and Anaplasma sp. Omatjenne (63.3%: 57.5-68.8%). Other virulent pathogens, namely Babesia bigemina (5.0%) and T. parva (2.9%), were also detected with RLB, but Ehrlichia ruminantium was not detected. The proportions of qPCR positive samples were 82.9% (A. marginale), 12.1% (A. centrale), 3.3% (T. parva), and 1.7% (E. ruminantium). Variations (5 to 9 nucleotides) in the 18S rRNA gene sequences of B. bigemina were identified as compared with previously published sequences. We assessed the 16S rRNA gene phylogeny of Anaplasma species from cattle and analysed the msp1α gene sequences of A. marginale to identify genotypes. There was genetic heterogeneity within A. marginale in cattle in the study area. Most A. marginale sequences (16/19) were closely related (99- 100% identities) and clustered with A. marginale strain Veld from cattle in South Africa, with strong bootstrap support, while three sequences clustered (100% identity) with A. marginale strain from Virginia, USA. The A. centrale sequences were closely related (100% identity) and clustered with the Israel vaccine strain. We found four different kinds of MSP1a tandem repeat sequences (UP39-F-M2-3) that correspond to one A. marginale strain unique to Uganda. One tandem repeat (UP39) was unique to Karamoja cattle. The findings from this study provide knowledge on the diversity and epidemiology of TBDs, which can be used to support diagnosis and strategic control of TBDs, and consequently improve cattle productivity and the livelihoods of pastoralists. More effective control and prevention measures against ticks and TBDs should urgently be implemented in the region. There is need to facilitate and promote immunisation of cattle against ECF. Given the scarcity of veterinarians in the region, the activities of community-based animal health workers [CAHWs] should be strengthened. The local governments in Karamoja Region should facilitate a more favourable business environment to attract private companies, who could scale-up veterinary drug supplies to the region. Pastoralists should be sensitised to improve their ecological knowledge of the seasonal activity of ticks for strategic tick control. / Thesis (PhD)--University of Pretoria, 2017. / Agricultural Technology and Agribusiness Advisory Services (ATAAS) / The National Agricultural Research Organisation (NARO) of Uganda / Veterinary Tropical Diseases / PhD / Unrestricted

The objective of the study was to determine the species composition and geographic distribution of ticks in the eastern region of the Eastern Cape Province. Ninety out of a total of 1 057 communal cattle dip-tanks in the region were selected by means of a table of random numbers, and 72 of these were eventually allocated to the survey. At each of the chosen dip-tanks an attempt was made to collect ticks from five cattle, five goats, five dogs and two hen coops, and free-living ticks from the vegetation by means of flannel strips, and ticks were collected from January 2004 and 2005 to May 2004 and May 2005 respectively. The geographic coordinates of the dip-tanks at which the ticks were collected were recorded, and used for plotting the distributions of the various tick species. The ticks were stored in 70 % ethyl alcohol in internally labelled vials for later identification and counting. Eleven ixodid tick species were collected from cattle, goats, dogs and the vegetation, namely Amblyomma hebraeum, Haemaphysalis elliptica, Haemaphysalis spinulosa, Hyalomma marginatum rufipes, Ixodes pilosus group, Rhipicephalus (Boophilus) decoloratus, Rhipicephalus (Boophilus) microplus, Rhipicephalus appendiculatus, Rhipicephalus evertsi evertsi, Rhipicephalus sanguineus and Rhipicephalus simus. Of these R. e. evertsi and R. appendiculatus were the most numerous, and constituted 38.8 % and 34.9% of the 13 768 ticks collected respectively. They were followed by R. (B.) microplus (17.4 %) and A. hebraeum (5.3%). Two argasid tick species were collected, namely Otobius megnini from the ear canals of two cattle, and Argas walkerae from fowl houses. A. walkerae was collected from 102 (70.8%) of 144 fowl houses in the vicinity of 57 (79.2%) of the 72 selected dip-tanks, and seemed to be present only when there was wood in the structure of the fowl house. Adult A. hebraeum was present in areas where there are trees and bush as well as grass, particularly along the coast, but also surprisingly far inland beyond the distribution limits previously illustrated for it. R. (B.) microplus, R. appendiculatus and R. e. evertsi were present throughout the survey area region, and from their distribution maps there are strong indications that the exotic R. (B.) microplus is displacing the indigenous R. (B.) decoloratus in this region. A large percentage of goats were infested with the adults of ticks normally associated with cattle, namely A. hebraeum, R. (B.) microplus, R. appendiculatus and R. e. evertsi. A more significant finding, however, is the large proportion of R. (B.) microplus females measuring 5 mm or more in length on the goats, a good indication that they were successfully completing their life cycles. In the light of these findings, it is imperative to include goats in any tick control programme aimed at controlling a tick-borne disease outbreak in sympatric cattle. Eight ixodid tick species were collected from the dogs, and H. elliptica, followed by R. appendiculatus and R. simus were present on these animals at the largest number of dip-tanks. The kennel tick R. sanguineus, a parasite of dogs in urban environments, was collected from dogs only at two localities. / Dissertation (MSc (Veterinary Science))--University of Pretoria, 2007. / Veterinary Tropical Diseases / MSc / unrestricted

This study was undertaken to evaluate and determine morphological characteristics which might prove valuable in the identification of the larvae of the following species of ticks of the genus Dermacentor Koch: D. albipictus Packard, D. andersoni Stiles, D. hunteri Bishop, D. parumapertus Neuman, and D. variabilis Say. A taxonomic key for the identification of all of the Canadian and United States species of the larvae of the genus Dermacentor Koch cannot be constructed until specimens of D. halli and D. occidentalis have been examined. However, the followng conclusions were reached regarding the species studied: 1. Position of setae is of no value in differentiation between the species studied. 2. The length of the scutal, sternal, premarginal, preanal, and coxal seta- are of value in the separation of the species studied. 3. The dermal sensilla was the only sensilla found to have any taxonomic value in the identification of species. 4. The determination of the degree of taxonomic significance of the leg sensillae awaits improved techniques in spreading, mounting and clearing specimens. 5. The size of the hypostome, palps, and tectum is taxonomically important in identification of species. 6. The presence or absence of coxal spurs was shown to be of questionable taxonomic significance. 7. The presence or absence of cornua is important in distinguishing between the species studied.

The purpose of this study is to present an analysis and key to the larvae of the nine species of Ixodes known to occur in Utah. These are I. kingi, I. muris, I. texanus, I. pacificus, I. spinipalpis, I. marmotae, I. ochotonoe, I angustus, and I. sculptus. Larvae from the first five of these nine species used in this study were reared in the laboratory by worked cited in the secion on Analysis of Species. those of the remaining four were identified on the basis of their presence with identifiable numphal and adult forms. Host specificity, although certainly variable with some forms, also proved helpful in larval identification.

Thesis (MTech (Horticulture))--Cape Peninsula University of Technology, 2018. / Ticks and tick-borne diseases are important limiting factors to the attainment of sustainable animal and human health, affecting livelihood of resource poor farming communities in developing countries. Rhipicephalus appendiculatus and Amblyomma variegatum (Ixodidae) are among the most troubling tick species in Africa. While ticks can be controlled by applying chemical acaricides, these chemicals are quite expensive, especially, for small-scale famers in developing countries. Hence, the quest for alternative tick control over the years have revealed that entomopathogenic fungi (EPF) and plant extracts have huge prospects as sustainable alternatives for tick control. Beauveria bassiana (Hypocreales) is a fungal entomopathogen with the ability to colonize plants endophytically and induce secondary metabolite production in plants, and it has been found to be a potential biological control agent against a wide range of arthropods. Several plant species including plant species belonging to the family Alliaceae possess anti-tick activities (repellent and toxic); therefore, integrating the two strategies by inoculating Tulbaghia violacea with B. bassiana could enhance secondary metabolite contents in extracts obtained from the plant and increase medicinal materials. The primary purpose of the present study was to evaluate the effect of indigenous endophytic entomopathogens inoculation of T. violacea on the plant growth, tissue nutrient contents and secondary metabolites, and anti-tick activities of extracts of T. violacea. The specific objectives were: (i) to carry out a study on the effects of inoculating T. violacea with fungal strains of B. bassiana and Clonostachys rosea on plant growth and tissue nutrient contents in extracts of T. violacea with the view of selecting one of the two fungi for further investigation (ii) to compare secondary metabolite profiles of extracts obtained from plants exposed to fungus (EPF) inoculum and control treatment during cultivation, and (iii) to determine whether exposure of T. violacea to an endophytic fungus (B. bassiana) during cultivation affects the repellent and acaricidal activities of extracts of T. violacea on A. variegatum and R. appendiculatus. The study had two experiments, presented in chapters two and three. In the first experiment, eight weeks old potted seedlings of T. violacea were inoculated separately with B. bassiana (strain SM3) and C. rosea (strain SM8) conidia suspended at concentrations of 1 x 106 conidia mL-1. Plant growth parameters, such as number of leaves, plant height (aerial part), fresh weights of aerial parts, and tissue nutrient contents were assessed. Results indicated that B. bassiana induced higher growth of plants than C. rosea. Inoculation with B. bassiana did not significantly (P ˃ 0.05) influence most of the growth parameters, number of leaves, fresht weight of roots and of fresh weight aerial parts (leaves) of T. violacea assessed in the current study. However, mean plant heights and root lengths were significantly (P < 0.05) higher in favour of B. bassiana treated plants compared to those in C. rosea. Fe contents in the roots (1416.3 ± 305.10 mg/kg) were found to be positively influenced (P < 0.05) by the fungal inoculation. There was a significant difference in roots (P < 0.05) on the uptake of Mn in C. rosea treated plants (243 ± 19 mg/kg) compared to the control group (169 ± 16.37 mg/kg) and B. bassiana treated roots (161.3 ± 14.44 mg/kg). Macro nutrients up take did not differ significantly among treatments on both leaves and roots (P > 0.05).

Submitted by JOSIANE SANTOS DE OLIVEIRA (josianeso) on 2018-12-12T13:54:00Z No. of bitstreams: 1 Rafaela Lauffer Ostermann Tamiosso_.pdf: 1442173 bytes, checksum: 6b4e384ffad7bba170e30016439c0cd7 (MD5) / Made available in DSpace on 2018-12-12T13:54:00Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 Rafaela Lauffer Ostermann Tamiosso_.pdf: 1442173 bytes, checksum: 6b4e384ffad7bba170e30016439c0cd7 (MD5) Previous issue date: 2018-07-30 / CAPES - Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior / O objetivo do estudo é analisar o perfil e as oportunidades de comércio do Brasil com os países integrantes do BRICS, do TICKS e do MINT, por meio de simulações de integração comercial, buscando identificar os setores mais beneficiados de acordo com seu grau de intensidade tecnológica. A metodologia utilizada foi a revisão bibliográfica e a coleta de informações na base de dados AliceWeb/SECEX/MDIC, empregando-se a classificação de produtos por grau de intensidade tecnológica segundo os critérios da OCDE. Além dessas, foi utilizado o modelo de equilíbrio geral computável, mediante utilização do GTAP (versão 9). Foram realizadas seis simulações, entre o Brasil e os países do BRICS, do TICKS e do MINT, com reduções de 50% e de 100% das tarifas de importações para cada um dos acordos. Em todos os acordos simulados, o setor mais impactado seria o de baixa intensidade tecnológica, já que era o mais protegido inicialmente. Os resultados revelaram que existiria substituição da produção doméstica pelas importações mais baratas dos países do BRICS, do TICKS e do MINT, ocasionando crescimento nas exportações brasileiras de produtos primários e de baixa intensidade tecnológica e queda das exportações de produtos de média-alta e de alta intensidade tecnológica. Em relação aos efeitos sobre o bem-estar, os acordos de comércio apontam ganhos para o Brasil em todos os cenários, porém aquele envolvendo os países do TICKS, com ampla redução tarifária, seria o que mais beneficiaria o Brasil, com ganhos de US$ 4,8 bilhões, sendo também o acordo com maior benefício líquido para o mundo, no valor de US$ 23,9 bilhões. / The study goal is to analyze the profile and trading opportunities with the BRICS, TICKS, and MINT countries through trade integrations simulations — looking for patterns to identify the most benefited sectors by their technological intensity degree. The methodology used was the bibliography review and the data collecting on AliceWeb/SECEX/MDIC, using the products classification by technological intensity degree according to OCDE criteria. In addition, the computable general equilibrium model was applied with GTAP (version 9). Six simulations were performed between Brazil and the BRICS, TICKS and MINT countries, with 50% and 100% importation tax reductions for each trade agreement. Analysing all trade agreements simulations, the most impacted sector would be that of low technological intensity because it was the most protected at the initial equilibrium. The results show that would be a replacement of Brazilian domestic production to low-cost imports from BRICS, TICKS, and MINT countries, leading to Brazilian exporting growth of primary and low technological intensity products, and an export dropping of products with medium-high and high-end technological intensity. Also, the trade agreements would generate welfare gains for Brazil in all scenarios, however that one related to the TICKS countries, with a large tax reduction, would be the most beneficial for Brazil, with gains of US$ 4.8 billion, also being the agreement with the largest net benefit to the world, reaching US$ 23.9 billion.

M. Tech. Nature Conservation / Ticks are blood feeding external parasites of mammals, birds, and reptiles throughout the world. Tick infestation is considered to be one of the main constraints to successful game ranching in southern Africa. Several blood parasites are transmitted by ticks and have been incriminated as the cause of death in several wildlife species Ticks thus affect wildlife and domestic animal management worldwide, with approximately 850 species of ticks having been described The aim of the thesis is to collect and describe fully the nature and extent of the tick cohort of a semi-intensive and control free game ranch in the Limpopo Province of South Africa farm and to establish the environmental management effects on tick abundances and species.