Prevalencia de Melophagus ovinus (Diptera: Hippoboscidae) sobre Ovis aries L. en la provincia de Tungurahua, Ecuador

Abstract

Melophagus ovinus is considered one of the main ectoparasites that attack sheeps due to its high frequency of occurrence and its ability to transmit different pathogenic microorganisms worldwide, however, in the province of Tungurahua information on this topic is limited. In this sense, the present study studied the prevalence of Melophagus ovinus (Diptera: Hippoboscidae) over Ovis aries in the province of Tungurahua, Ecuador. For this purpose, periodic samplings were carried out in semi-intensive and backyard sheep farming systems in different locations in the municipalities of Ambato, Baños, Cevallos, Mocha, Patate, Pelileo, Píllaro, Quero and Tisaleo. Significant differences were detected in the prevalence of M. ovinus in the different municipalities considered in the study, being higher in the different localities of the canton Ambato (39.3%), followed by Quero (33.5%), Mocha (32, 3%), Pelileo (30.7%) and Tisaleo (28.0%), while in Patate, Cevallos and Píllaro a significant decrease in prevalence was observed that ranged between 7.50 and 18% and finally in Baños M. ovinus was not detected. On the other hand, no association was observed between the number of ectoparasites found depending on the sex or age of the host sheep. However, in numerical terms, a higher incidence was observed in males (58.45%) than in females (41.55%), even though it was not statistically significant according to Pearson's Chi value (p = 0.492). Similarly, when considering the age of the animal on the incidence of M. ovinus, a significant association was not found according to the Pearson's Chi-square value (p = 0.314), although a trend was observed in which the animals between 1 - 3 years and those older than 5 years showed a higher prevalence. This type of study highlights the need for and importance of studies on the prevalence and economic impact of M. ovinus and its potential to transmit pathogens