Ticks are blood-feeding ectoparasitic Arthropods of the subclass Acari (Arachnida) that have both domestic and wild animals as hosts. The present study aimed at evaluating the heat tolerance traits and tick infestation in some Nigerian indigenous cattle breeds found in Nasarawa State, north-central Nigeria. A total of 160 animals (83 males and 77 females) comprising 92 Bunaji, 50 Sokoto Gudali and 18 Muturu breeds of Nigerian cattle were sampled. The data were obtained on the number of tick counts on each animal, as well as physiological parameters, such as rectal temperature, respiratory rate and pulse rate. This study revealed the presence of two cattle tick species Dermacentor andersoni (58, 53.2 %) and Ornithodorus moubata (51, 46.8 %), which are of veterinary importance. The prevalence was highest in the Bunaji breed (71, 65.1 %), followed by Sokoto Gudali (26, 23.9 %) and Muturu (12, 11.1 %) cattle, respectively. Occurrence of tick infestation was higher in male (59, 71.1 %) than female animals (50, 64.9 %). Respiratory rate and pulse rate were significantly (P < 0.05) higher in Muturu cattle compared to the Bunaji and Sokoto Gudali cattle. Sex effect on the physiological parameters was not significant. Animals infested with ticks had significantly higher rectal temperature (39.01 ± 0.14 versus 38.40 ± 0.12 °C). Rectal temperature and breed were found to be more associated with the incidence of tick infestation in the binary logistic regression. The present findings may aid the design of effective control measures against ticks and subsequent breeding for genetic resistance to tick infestation.
