Intraspecific variation in Rhipicephalus (Boophilus) microplus ticks (Family Ixodidae) isolated from goats raised in a small private farm in San Jose Del Monte, Bulacan, Central Luzon, Philippines
Priscilla Hope Swann*, Florencia G. Claveria
Biology Department, College of Sciences, De La Salle University, 2401 Taft Avenue, Manila Philippines
Abstract
Thisstudywascarriedouttoascertaintickinfestationofgoats (Capraaegagrushircus)growninasmallprivatefarminSanJosedelMonte, Bulacan, CentralLuzon, Philippines. Prevalenceofinfestationwasassessedand ticks examined based on theirdevelopmentalstagesandsex were identifiedasRhipicephalus(Boophilus) microplus. Adultticksdisplayed intraspecificpolymorphicvariations (ISPV). MaleRh. (Bo.) microplusmanifestedvariationsinthedistinctnessoftheventralanalplatespurs (88.2%), andin thevisibilityofthesesamespurswhenspecimenswerevieweddorsally. ISPVwasdetectedintheshape or contour ofthegenitalaperturelipsin 37.5% offemaleticks. Toourknowledge, thisstudyrepresentsthefirstdocumentationofRh. (Boophilus) microplusinfestationinPhilippinegoats vis-à-vis demonstration of intraspecific polymorphic variations between male and female individual ticks.