Species composition, distribution, mean abundance and potential public health relevance of ixodid ticks infesting cattle presented at abattoirs in Maputo, Mozambique

Ticks represent one of the major threats to livestock production in Mozambique, acting as vectors of multiple pathogens and causing significant economic losses and posing a public health threat. This study aimed to characterise the species composition, seasonal occurrence, district-level distribution, anatomical attachment sites, and mean abundance of ticks collected from cattle presented in abattoirs in Maputo, southern Mozambique. This longitudinal study was conducted between 2023 and 2025 at the Maputo Municipal and Machava abattoirs. A total of 64 adult Landim cattle comprising 55 males (85.9%) and 9 females (14.1%), originating from 12 districts across Maputo, Gaza, and Inhambane provinces, were sampled. Ticks were manually collected, preserved in 70% ethanol, and morphologically identified using a stereomicroscope and standard taxonomic keys. A total of 2997 ticks were collected. Amblyomma was the most abundant genus (47.9%), followed by Rhipicephalus (45.5%) and Hyalomma (6.6%). The most abundant species were Amblyomma hebraeum (42.0%) and Rhipicephalus (Boophilus) microplus (38.5%). The overall mean abundance was 46.8 ticks per infested host. The dewlap was the most infested body region (23.1%), followed by limbs (20.7%) and trunk (20.6%). Ticks were predominantly from cattle originating from Inhambane (47.7%). The highest mean tick abundance were observed in cattle originating from Manjacaze (134 ticks/cattle), Namaacha (86.3 ticks/cattle), and Panda (83 ticks/cattle) districts. These findings highlight high tick diversity and occurrence in cattle from southern Mozambique. Seasonal variation and anatomical site preferences are key considerations for designing integrated tick control strategies. Continuous epidemiological surveillance and integrated tick management programs, including rational acaricide rotation and complementary molecular validation of ticks, are recommended.