ISSN: 2639-216X
Authors: Mandal A and Bhadra K*
Indian subtropical climates provide a suitable niche for the diversity of Ixodidae ticks on various host. Very limited taxonomic information exists in literature about the diversity and distribution of tick both within and outside of West Bengal. In the current review, species and hosts diversity and geographical distribution of ticks present in the state have been reviewed based on taxonomic data in the literature from 1926-2022. More than 109 tick species were recorded in India, among which 88 genera belongs to the Ixodidae group. West Bengal's hot and humid environment makes it a hotspot for tick diversity, accounting for 30% of the overall Indian tick fauna. According to this study, 9 genera and 32 species were detected in West Bengal, with Rhipicephalus sp. being the most infectious in cattle, followed by Hyalomma and Haemaphysalis species. While, Haemaphysalis with 13 species is the most diverse genus reported in West Bengal, the most prevalent species detected in all seventeen districts were H. bispinosa and Boophilus microplus. To understand the variety and distribution pattern of tick species, the study reveals their presence and infestation in different classes and orders of their conspecific host.
Keywords: Haemaphysalis; Hotspot; Hard Tick; Bovine Tick
