Ticks are a group of hematophagous arthropods of both ecological and medical importance. Within the subclass of Acari, ticks are classified in the order Ixodida [1]. Ticks are characterized by their ability to parasitize a wide range of vertebrate hosts, including mammals, birds, reptiles, and, in some cases, amphibians [2].

Approximately 900 tick species have been identified worldwide, classified into three major families: Argasidae (soft ticks, 190 species), Ixodidae (hard ticks, 700 species), and Nuttalliellidae [3][4]. The latter family is represented by a single genus and species, Nuttalliella namaqua. In Africa, 223 tick species have been recorded: 180 belonging to the Ixodidae and 43 to the Argasidae families [5][6]. Consequently, the Ixodidae family is the most abundant and diverse, largely due to its capacity to infest a broad spectrum of vertebrate hosts [3].

In West Africa, the genera Amblyomma,Hyalomma,and Rhipicephalus have been the most extensively studied in relation to livestock infestation [7]-[10]. Among the most abundant species in these regions are Rhipicephalus(Boophilus)microplusandAmblyomma variegatum, which primarily parasitize cattle [11].

Other tick species may also be present in this part of Africa, particularly those belonging to the subgenus Boophilus, which are monoxenous ticks that complete their parasitic life cycle on a single host individual. Rodents serve as hosts for ticks with two- or three-host life cycles [12].

This diversity holds particular significance for both public and animal health. Ticks are vectors of numerous pathogens and, after mosquitoes, represent the second most important group of disease vectors worldwide [13][14]. They transmit a wide range of infectious agents including bacteria, protozoa, and viruses responsible for diseases such as Lyme disease, rickettsioses, tularemia, bartonellosis, canine piroplasmosis, bovine babesiosis, and anaplasmosis [15]-[19], as well as viral infections such as tick-borne encephalitis and Crimean-Congo hemorrhagic fever [6][16][17][20].

Several of these diseases have already been reported in both cattle and humans in West Africa [21]. In Mali, Crimean-Congo hemorrhagic fever (CCHF) has been identified in tick populations and human cases [22]. In Benin, babesiosis and theileriosis are significant tick-borne diseases affecting cattle [23]. Nigeria has also reported tick-borne diseases such as heartwater (Cowdriose fever) [24]. In Niger, a study conducted in the Dosso region (Boboye Department) revealed a seroprevalence of 9.1% for CCHF, with collected ticks belonging to the genera Hyalomma (91.7%), Amblyomma (5.7%), and Rhipicephalus (subgenus Boophilus) (2.6%) [25]. However, no current data are available regarding the tick species circulating among livestock in Niger.

Moreover, several authors have emphasized that increased animal movement, climate change, and the degradation of natural habitats are contributing factors to shifts in the distribution and abundance of ticks, with significant epidemiological implications [26][27]. A thorough investigation of tick species diversity is therefore essential to understand their ecology, transmission dynamics, and to support the implementation of effective surveillance and control strategies for vector-borne diseases.

The objective of this study is to conduct an inventory of tick genera and species infesting livestock in Niamey, specifically at three major livestock markets and the animal slaughter facility (Niamey Refrigerated Slaughterhouse). This work aims to assess the diversity of circulating tick species, their abundance, and the infestation levels of hosts in the targeted locations.

This cross-sectional study describes the diversity of ticks collected from major livestock markets and the Niamey refrigerated slaughterhouse in 2024. Females were more abundant than males. Female ticks pose several concerns for both human and veterinary health, not only due to their bites but also because of their capacity to transmit infectious agents. Studies by Dib et al., (2002) in Algeria and Maïna et al., (2020) in Niger support our findings, also reporting a predominance of females over males [25][36].

Across the four study sites in Niamey, it was revealed that all collected species belonged to five genera: Amblyomma, Hyalomma, Haemaphysalis, and Rhipicephalus (including the subgenus Boophilus). Our results are consistent with those of several authors such as Barker and Murrell (2004), Biguezoton et al., (2016), Kouassi et al., (2016), and Diarra et al., (2017), who have reported that these tick genera are commonly associated with livestock in West Africa [8]-[11]. According to other researchers (Farougou et al., 2013; Yao et al., 2016; Biguezoton et al., 2016), these ticks are responsible not only for direct effects such as blood loss, weight reduction, decreased milk production, and skin lesions that facilitate secondary infections and teat loss but also for indirect effects as vectors of numerous pathogens [8][27][37]. These include agents responsible for diseases such as heartwater (cowdriosis), babesiosis, anaplasmosis, theileriosis, ehrlichiosis, and Crimean-Congo hemorrhagic fever (CCHF) virus [38].

In our study, the genera Rhipicephalus and Amblyomma were the most abundant. These findings are consistent with those of Yessinou et al., (2018) in Benin, who previously identified Rhipicephalusand Amblyomma as among the most common tick genera infesting livestock in West Africa. However, our results contrast with those of Alima et al., (2020), who reported a predominance of the genus Hyalomma, representing 97% of the ticks collected [25][39].

This discrepancy may be explained by the fact that their study focused exclusively on cattle, whereas ours included cattle and camelids in addition to small ruminants, thereby broadening the host range.

During this study, nineteen tick species were identified, with Amblyomma variegatum being the most abundant. A similar distribution was observed in Burkina Faso by Kaboré et al., (1998), in Senegal by Guèye et al. (1990), by Awa (1997), and in Nigeria by Bayer and Maina (1984) [40]-[43].

In our study, this species was primarily found on cattle, goats, and camelids. According to McCoy and Boulanger (2015), A. variegatum is a major parasite of cattle, sheep, and goats [3]. Morel (1980) and Petney et al., (1987) also reported that this species can infest a wide range of vertebrates, including reptiles, birds, and both small and large mammals [44][45]. Several authors have emphasized that A. variegatum is an indigenous tick species responsible for significant economic losses [40][41][43][46][47].

Another species, Rhipicephalus(Boophilus)decoratus, showed a strong affinity for cattle in our study. Our findings align with those of Yao et al., (2020), who reported this species exclusively on cattle in Burkina Faso [48]. Similarly, studies by Phalatsi et al., (2004) in South Africa confirmed that Boophilus decoloratus has a strong preference for cattle, which are its primary hosts. It is commonly referred to as the “blue tick” of livestock [49].

In our study, certain species of the genus Hyalomma, such as Hyalomma dromedarii and H. impeltatum, exhibited clear host specificity for camels.

Our findings are consistent with those of Bouhous et al. (2008) in Algeria, who reported this species as predominant (79.31%) on camels [50]. Similar results have been documented regarding the preference of this species for dromedaries by Van Straten and Jongejan (1993) in Egypt (95.6%), Idris et al., (2000) in Oman (89.55%), and Antoine-Moussiaux et al., (2005) in the Agadez region of Niger (100%) [51]-[53].

According to these authors, this specificity may be linked to the species’ selective affinity for dromedaries or its concentration in desert regions [33].

Another species, Rhipicephalus sanguineus, was observed in a relatively balanced distribution among goats, sheep, and cattle, suggesting lower host selectivity. According to Karen et al. (2015), this species, found across various biogeographic zones, primarily parasitizes dogs but can also be found on humans and certain domestic herbivores (cattle, sheep) via the surrounding canine population [16]. It is therefore often considered a secondary species, dependent on the presence of a dense canine population in the environment [16][54].

In our study, species richness varied across sites, with some locations being more diverse than others. The slaughterhouse exhibited the highest species richness, in contrast to the livestock markets. Notably, species such as Hyalomma scupense, Rhipicephalus turanicus, Hyalomma excavatum, Hyalomma anatolicum, and Hyalomma truncatum were identified. The simultaneous presence of multiple tick species from the same family has previously been reported by Boka et al., (2004) and Tuoet al., (2020) [55][56]. This may result from shared grazing areas among regional herds. Indeed, the risk of cattle infestation by similar tick species is often linked to communal pastures and the intermingling of herds [27].

During our sampling, the slaughterhouse showed the highest relative abundance of all collected ticks, compared to the livestock markets. The lower number of tick species observed in the markets may be explained by prophylactic measures taken against mites, as well as cleaning practices implemented upon the arrival of animals from villages before the massive proliferation of these vectors. These measures likely reduce the ease of tick dispersion at these sites. Another contributing factor could be the condition of the animal enclosures.

Finally, the Shannon-Weaver diversity index (H') values ranged from 1.72 to 2.13 bits, indicating moderate species diversity across all sites. The evenness index (E) values were all above 0.5. The Shannon-Weaver indices recorded at all sites exceeded 1.5 bits, suggesting that these environments are species-rich and ecologically favorable. Our results align with those of Amrouche Fadila and Ouachek Yasmine (2016) in Algeria [57]. The evenness values across the four sites being above 0.5 indicate that species abundances are evenly distributed and that these communities are balanced. Similar findings were reported by Bia Lycia (2017) and Bouizegarene et al., (2014) in Algeria [58][59].

The main limitations of this study are the short sampling period, limited study duration, restricted geographic scope (Niamey), and seasonal timing, which may have constrained the depth of the findings. Additionally, the study did not employ PCR or MALDI-TOF techniques, which are rapid and effective methods for species identification and pathogen detection in ticks.

This study identified five tick genera and nineteen species in Niamey. The relative abundances of tick species across sites ranged from 0.3% to 33.0%, with Amblyomma variegatum being the most frequent species. A high species richness and balanced distribution were found. Further studies are needed in other regions and over extended timeframes to better understand the seasonal dynamics of tick populations. Molecular and epidemiological research should be deepened to monitor the evolution of tick-borne diseases. Advancing fundamental knowledge will enhance control strategies against these formidable vectors. Entomological surveys will contribute to a better understanding of tick-borne hemorrhagic fevers and help highlight the epidemiological aspects of emerging and re-emerging diseases.

Ibrahim M. L., Moustapha M. L., and Rabi O. C. conceived the study. Iro M. S. and Jafarou C. A. conducted the study and drafted the first version of the manuscript. Diallo O. D. and Kader S. H. analyzed the data. Moustapha M. L., Rabi O. C., and Ibrahim M. L. read and revised the manuscript; all authors read and approved the final version of the manuscript.

This work was made possible by the permission granted by the Abattoir Frigorifique of Niamey and by the cooperation of the leaders of the various livestock markets; we express our heartfelt gratitude to them.

The authors acknowledge the use of ChatGPT-5 for language refinement and structural organization of this manuscript. All conceptual and analytical content originates from the authors.