Valeur Nutritive Des Especes Herbacees Appetees Par Les Ruminants Sur Les Parcours Naturels Du Nord-Est Du Benin

Au Nord - Est du Bénin, les systèmes d’élevage sont encore principalement traditionnels et les informations disponibles actuellement sur la valeur nutritive des fourrages sont souvent fragmentaires, voire disparates. L’objectif de l’étude était de contribuer à une meilleure connaissance des valeurs nutritives des espèces herbacées appétées afin de les faire entrer dans les systèmes d’alimentation de ces ruminants. Pour ce faire, le suivi des animaux au pâturage et la récolte des fourrages appétés par les bovins avaient permis d’identifier 26 espèces herbacées appétées par les ruminants. 500g de chaque herbacée appétée a été prélevé dans des sachets et laissé à l’air libre avant d’être convoyé au laboratoire. Une fois au laboratoire, ils ont séjourné dans une étuve jusqu’à obtention de poids constant. Les échantillons ont été ensuite moulu et 20gr de chaque herbacées a été identifié et mi en sachet pour les analyses. Les échantillons des herbacées appétées ont été analysés par spectrométrie dans le proche infrarouge (SPIR). Le résultat du regroupement des différentes espèces herbacées présenté sous la forme de dendrogramme permettait d’identifié 5 groupes. En fin de saison pluvieuse, les espèces fourragères du groupe 1 2 et 5 ont des taux moyens élévés en matières azotées digestibles (MAD = 117,81 ± 14,25 g/kg MS) et en énergies nettes (UFL = 0,82±0,04 et UFV = 0,73±0,03/ kg de MS). La lignocellulose (ADF) et les valeurs énergétiques nettes (UFL, UFV) étaient négativement corrélées (r =- 0,74 ; p ˂ 0,01). Par contre, le couple (UFL, UFV) était positivement corrélé (r = 0,55 ; p ˂ 0,01) aux valeurs MAD. En ce qui concerne ces espèces fourragères, l’effet dépressif de la teneur en cellulose brute (CB) sur la valeur MAD (r = -0,63) apparaissait très hautement significatif (p ˂ 0,001). Les herbacées telles que Andropogon tectorum, Boerhavia erecta Brachiaria falcifera Pennisetum polystachion Crotalaria macrocalyx et Spermacoce stachydea, Commelina benghalensis et Eleusine indica sont de bonnes qualités nutritives. In the north-east of Benin, livestock systems are still mainly traditional and the information currently available on the nutritional value of fodder is often fragmentary or even disparate. The objective of the study was to contribute to a better knowledge of the nutritional values of the herbaceous species being fed in order to include them in the feeding systems of these ruminants. To this end, the monitoring of animals on pasture and the harvesting of forages appeared by cattle had made it possible to identify 26 herbaceous species appeared by ruminants. 500g of each appeared grass was collected in bags and left outdoors before being transported to the laboratory. Once at the laboratory, they were kept in an oven until constant weight was obtained. The samples were then ground and 20gr of each herb was identified and half in bags for analysis. Samples of the palatable herbs were analyzed by near infrared spectrometry (NIRS). The result of the grouping of the different herbaceous species presented in the form of a dendrogram allowed the identification of 5 groups. At the end of the rainy season, the forage species of group 1 2 and 5 have high average rates of digestible nitrogenous matter (MAD = 117.81 ± 14.25 g/kg DM) and net energy (UFL = 0.82±0.04 and UFV = 0.73±0.03/kg DM). Lignocellulose (ADF) and net energy values (UFL, UFV) were negatively correlated (r =- 0.74; p ˂ 0.01). In contrast, torque (UFL, UFV) was positively correlated (r = 0.55; p ˂ 0.01) with DSM values. For these forage species, the depressing effect of crude fibre (CB) content on the MAD value (r = -0.63) appeared very highly significant (p ˂ 0.001). Grasses such as Andropogon tectorum, Boerhavia erecta Brachiaria falcifera Pennisetum polystachion Crotalaria macrocalyx and Spermacoce stachydea, Commelina benghalensis and Eleusine indica have good nutritional qualities

Influence of transhumance on the spread of Rhipicephalus microplus (Canestrini, 1888) in Benin

Objective: Rhipicephalus microplus is a very invasive tick whose control is a current challenge. Its speed of propagation is favored by specific risk factors whose knowledge is an essential prerequisite for a good rather design of strategies to put in place for its control. This study consisted of evaluating the influence of transhumance on the spread of this tick in Benin. Materials and methods: To achieve this objective, two sets of tick sampling were carried out on five animals before and after transhumance in 80 autochthon herds from 8 municipalities in Benin. Results: The abundance of R. microplus varies significantly between breeding type, hosting type, period of ticks collection and between some of their interactions such as: breeding - period, hosting - period and breeding - hosting - period. In addition, the abundance of R. microplus according to each of these factors before transhumance differs significantly from the one observed after transhumance; the parasite load of R. microplus observed before transhumance is much higher than that observed after transhumance. Transhumance contributes to the spread of R. microplus in Benin. Conclusion: It represents a risk factor on which health risk managers could act in terms of surveillance and control of this cattle tick by carrying out the de-parasitage in the health campaign programs of transhumant animals. [J Adv Vet Anim Res 2018; 5(2.000): 226-232

Preliminary study on the tick population of Benin wildlife at the moment of its invasion by the Rhipicephalus microplus tick (Canestrini, 1888)

Background and Aim: Rhipicephalus microplus (Rm) is one of the most problematic livestock tick species in the world. Its rapid propagation and resistance to acaricides make it control difficult in the sub-region and Benin particularly. The aim of this work was to check its presence in wildlife and to confirm the possible role of reservoir wildlife may play in the propagation of the parasite. This will help to design more efficient control strategy. Materials and Methods: This study was conducted from February to March 2017 in the National Parks of Benin (Pendjari and W Park) and wildfowl's assembly and selling point in Benin. Ticks were manually picked with forceps from each animal after slaughtering by hunters then stored in 70° ethanol. Collected ticks were counted and identified in the laboratory using the identification key as described by Walker. Results: Overall, seven species of ticks (Amblyomma variegatum, Boophilus decoloratus, Rm, Boophilus spp., Hyalomma spp., Rhipicephalus sanguineus, Rhipicephalus spp.) were identified on nine wild animal species sampled (Cane rat, wildcat, Hare, Doe, Cricetoma, Buffalo, Buffon Cobe, and Bushbuck and Warthog). The average number of ticks varies from 3 to 6 between animal species, 3 to 7 between localities visited, and 2 to 5 between tick species. However, these differences are statistically significant only for localities. Considering tick species and animal species, the parasite load of Rm and Rhipicephalus spp. is higher; the buffalo being more infested. The analysis of deviance reveals that the abundance of ticks observed depends only on the observed localities (p>0.05). However, the interactions between animal species and localities on the one hand and between animal and tick species on the other hand, although not significant, have influenced the abundance of ticks as they reduce the residual deviance after their inclusion in the model. Conclusion: This study reported the presence of Rm in wildlife of Benin and confirmed its role in the maintenance and spread of the parasites. It is, therefore, an important risk factor that we must not neglect in the epidemiological surveillance and ticks control strategies in the West African sub-region and particularly in Benin

Tick communities of cattle in smallholder rural livestock production systems in sub-Saharan Africa

Abstract Background The majority of the African population lives in rural areas and depends on agriculture for their livelihoods. To increase the productivity and sustainability of their farms, they need access to affordable yield-enhancing inputs of which parasite control is of paramount importance. We therefore determined the status of current tick species with the highest economic impact on cattle by sampling representative numbers of animals in each of seven sub-Saharan countries. Methods Data included tick species’ half-body counts from approximately 120 cattle at each of two districts per country, collected four times in approximately 1 year (to include seasonality). Study sites were chosen in each country to include high cattle density and tick burden. Results East Africa (Ethiopia, Uganda and Tanzania) showed overall a higher diversity and prevalence in tick infestations compared to West African countries (Benin, Burkina Faso, Ghana and Nigeria). In East Africa, Amblyomma variegatum (vector of Ehrlichia ruminantium), Rhipicephalus microplus (Babesia bovis, B. bigemina, Anaplasma marginale), R. evertsi evertsi (A. marginale) and R. appendiculatus (Theileria parva) were the most prevalent tick species of economic importance. While the latter species was absent in West Africa, here both A. variegatum and R. microplus occurred in high numbers. Rhipicephalus microplus had spread to Uganda, infesting half of the cattle sampled. Rhipicephalus appendiculatus is known for its invasive behaviour and displacement of other blue tick species, as observed in other East and West African countries. Individual cattle with higher body weights, as well as males, were more likely to be infested. For six tick species, we found reduced infestation levels when hosts were treated with anti-parasiticides. Conclusions These baseline data allow the determination of possible changes in presence and prevalence of ticks in each of the countries targeted, which is of importance in the light of human-caused climate and habitat alterations or anthropogenic activities. As many of the ticks in this study are vectors of important pathogens, but also, as cattle may act as end hosts for ticks of importance to human health, our study will help a wide range of stakeholders to provide recommendations for tick infestation surveillance and prevention. Graphical abstrac