Ixodid tick fauna and infestation burden in cattle across southern districts of Tamil Nadu, India

Tick infestation remains a major constraint to cattle production in tropical regions owing to its effects on animal health and productivity. The present study investigated ixodid tick fauna, relative abundance and infestation patterns in cattle from four southern districts of Tamil Nadu, Tirunelveli, Tenkasi, Thoothukudi and Kanyakumari, during January 2024 to August 2025. A total of 3,463 ticks representing eight species were collected, with Rhipicephalus microplus emerging as the dominant species (67.31), followed by Haemaphysalis bispinosa and Hyalomma marginatum. Significant district wise variation in tick species composition was observed, whereas overall infestation prevalence did not differ significantly across seasons or age and breed categories. Female cattle showed significantly higher infestation rates than males. These findings highlight the influence of geographical and host related factors on tick ecology in southern Tamil Nadu and emphasize the need for region specific tick control strategies.