Study on the distribution of ixodid ticks of cattle in pastoral areas of Yabello district, Borana zone, Oromia, Ethiopia Minwyelet Ayana a , Abaynew Gelaye b , Haben Fesseha c, ⁎, Mesfin Mathewos d a Guagusa shikudad District Veterinary Clinic, Awi zone, Amhara region, Ethiopia b Guangua District Veterinary Clinic, Awi Zone, Amhara Region, Ethiopia c Wolaita Sodo University, School of Veterinary Medicine, Veterinary Surgery and Diagnostic Imaging, P.O. Box 138, Wolaita Sodo, Ethiopia d Wolaita Sodo University, School of Veterinary Medicine, Veterinary Pathology, P.O. Box 138, Wolaita Sodo, Ethiopia article info abstract Article history: Received 4 December 2020 Received in revised form 4 January 2021 Accepted 4 January 2021 Background: Ticks and tick-borne diseases cause major losses in the livestock economy. From both human and veterinary viewpoints, ticks are very important vectors. Methods and results: This cross-sectional research was conducted to study the prevalence, tick dis- tribution, and related risk factors in the Borana pastoral region of the Yabello district, Oromia re- gional state, Ethiopia. A total of 445 cattle were examined for the presence of tick infestation collected from different body parts of the cattle and 89.89% (400/445) of indigenous cattle harbor a total of 7,778 adult ticks belonging to four different genera of ticks namely Rhipicephalus (78.31%), Amblyomma (13.46%), Boophilus (7.01%), and Hyalomma (1.22%). Besides, Rhipicephalus pulchellus (73.17%) and Amblyomma varigatum (7.57%) were among the most prevalent tick species identified whereas Hyalomma dromedari (0.08%) was found to be the least one. In this study, high proportions of ticks were collected from the head and ear (34.57%) followed by anus and vulva (29.47%), scrotum/udder (19.18%), dewlap and neck (8.77%), brisket (7.16%) and belly and back (0.85%). Moreover, a high proportion of Amblyomma species were collected from scrotum/udder (47.76%) and brisket (38.01%); Rhipicephalus species from head and ear (41.14%), anus and vulva (33.64%); Hyalomma species from scrotum/udder (41.05%), anus and vulva (28.42%) and dewlap and neck (20%) whereas most Boophilus species were collected from anus and vulva region (32.48%) and head and ear (31.19%). A statistically significant difference (P < 0.05) was observed among potential risk factors like age group being higher in adult animals and different kebeles such as Dharito kebele and Dida Tuyoura ranch. Conclusion: The result of this survey indicates that economically important ticks are widespread throughout the study areas and their presence in abundance is alerting. To minimize losses attrib- uted to ticks and tick-borne disease cost-effective control strategy should be designed. © 2021 The Authors. Published by Elsevier Ltd on behalf of World Federation of Parasitologists. This is an open access article under the CC BY license (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/ 4.0/). Keywords: Amblyomma Boophilus Hyalomma Rhipicephalus Risk factors Tick Yabello district 1. Introduction Livestock and livestock products play a significant role in Ethiopia's socio-economic growth. In addition, livestock helps rural agricultural households as a source of security and additional cash income. Draft animals provide strength for many peasant ag- Parasite Epidemiology and Control 12 (2021) e00200 Abbreviations: FAO, Food and agricultural organization; TBD, Tick borne disease. ⁎ Corresponding author. E-mail addresses: haben.senbetu@wsu.edu.et, (H. Fesseha), mathewosme23@gmail.com. (M. Mathewos). https://doi.org/10.1016/j.parepi.2021.e00200 2405-6731/© 2021 The Authors. Published by Elsevier Ltd on behalf of World Federation of Parasitologists. This is an open access article under the CC BY license (http:// creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/). Contents lists available at ScienceDirect Parasite Epidemiology and Control journal homepage: www.elsevier.com/locate/parepi