Predicted distribution of Cattle Ticks Rhipicephalus microplus in Ecuador
(2023) 29th International Conference of the World Association for the Advancement of Veterinary Parasitology — Location: Chennai, India (20.August.2023)
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- Authors
Pérez Otáñez, Ximena 
- et. al.
- Abstract
- Hard ticks affect cattle in tropical and subtropical areas of the world. In the case of Ecuador, the main species that have been found on cattle in this study is Rhipicephalus microplus. These species cause economic losses to cattle farmers, in addition to affecting the health of cattle through the transmission of pathogens and indirectly affecting human health due to the chemicals used in their control and their residues. The spatial distribution of these species has been attributed in other countries mainly to variables related to temperature. The aim of this study was to determine the distribution of R. microplus and to obtain a predictive map for this specie in continental Ecuador. For this work, 2895 farms were visited between 2012 and 2015 which animals were checked and information and tick samples were collected. Using Quantum Gis 3.0.1 and the georeferenced points in each farm, distribution maps were made. For the Random forest, 19 bioclimatic variables were used in addition to vapor pressure, obtained from CHELSA. As result, R. microplus was present in 38.51% of farms. Random forest prediction models were obtained for R. microplus, with validation values: Accuracy= 0.97, Sensibility= 0.96, and Specificity= 0.96. The bioclimatic factors included in the Random forest were Bio 1, Bio14, Bio4, Bio12, Bio 13, Bio3, Vapor pressure max and min, Bio 2, and Bio 18. We conclude that the models obtained with the tick records and bioclimatic variables can predict the distribution at the level of continental Ecuador, this information can be used for future integrated control management plans, as well as to predict the areas that could have problems with hemoparasites and require special attention.
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Pérez Otáñez, X., & et al. (2023). Predicted distribution of Cattle Ticks Rhipicephalus microplus in Ecuador. 29th International Conference of the World Association for the Advancement of Veterinary Parasitology, Chennai, India. https://hdl.handle.net/2078.5/240385