Abstract
Background: Changes of land cover modify the characteristics of habitat, host-vector interaction and consequently
infection rates of disease causing agents. In this paper, we report variations in tsetse distribution patterns,
abundance and infection rates in relation to habitat types and age in the Maasai Steppe of northern Tanzania. In
Africa, Tsetse-transmitted trypanosomiasis negatively impacted human life where about 40 million people are at risk
of contracting the disease with dramatic socio-economical consequences, for instance, loss of livestock, animal
productivity, and manpower.
Methods: We trapped tsetse flies in dry and wet seasons between October 2014 and May 2015 in selected habitats
across four villages: Emboreet, Loiborsireet, Kimotorok and Oltukai adjacent to protected areas. Data collected
include number and species of tsetse flies caught in baited traps, PCR identification of trypanosome species and
extraction of monitored Normalized Difference Vegetation Index (NDVI) data from Moderate Resolution Imaging
Spectrometer (MODIS).
Results: Our findings demonstrate the variation of tsetse fly species abundance and infection rates among habitats
in surveyed villages in relation to NDVI and host abundance. Results have shown higher tsetse fly abundance in
Acacia-swampy ecotone and riverine habitats for Emboreet and other villages, respectively. Tsetse abundance was
inconsistent among habitats in different villages. Emboreet was highly infested with Glossina swynnertoni (68%) in
ecotone and swampy habitats followed by G. morsitans (28%) and G. pallidipes (4%) in riverine habitat. In the remaining
villages, the dominant tsetse fly species by 95% was G. pallidipes in all habitats. Trypanosoma vivax was the most
prevalent species in all infected flies (95%) with few observations of co-infections (with T. congolense or T. brucei).
Conclusions: The findings of this study provide a framework to mapping hotspots of tsetse infestation and
trypanosomiasis infection and enhance the communities to plan for effective control of trypanosomiasis.
Keywords: Habitat variability, Tsetse fly, Host availability, Infection rate, Trypanosomes
Ngonyoka1, A & , 4 (2021). Patterns Of Tsetse Abundance And Trypanosome Infection Rates Among Habitats Of Surveyed Villages In Maasai Steppe Of Northern Tanzania. Afribary. Retrieved from https://track.afribary.com/works/patterns-of-tsetse-abundance-and-trypanosome-infection-rates-among-habitats-of-surveyed-villages-in-maasai-steppe-of-northern-tanzania
Ngonyoka1, Anibariki and 4 "Patterns Of Tsetse Abundance And Trypanosome Infection Rates Among Habitats Of Surveyed Villages In Maasai Steppe Of Northern Tanzania" Afribary. Afribary, 26 Apr. 2021, https://track.afribary.com/works/patterns-of-tsetse-abundance-and-trypanosome-infection-rates-among-habitats-of-surveyed-villages-in-maasai-steppe-of-northern-tanzania. Accessed 13 Nov. 2024.
Ngonyoka1, Anibariki, 4 . "Patterns Of Tsetse Abundance And Trypanosome Infection Rates Among Habitats Of Surveyed Villages In Maasai Steppe Of Northern Tanzania". Afribary, Afribary, 26 Apr. 2021. Web. 13 Nov. 2024. < https://track.afribary.com/works/patterns-of-tsetse-abundance-and-trypanosome-infection-rates-among-habitats-of-surveyed-villages-in-maasai-steppe-of-northern-tanzania >.
Ngonyoka1, Anibariki and , 4 . "Patterns Of Tsetse Abundance And Trypanosome Infection Rates Among Habitats Of Surveyed Villages In Maasai Steppe Of Northern Tanzania" Afribary (2021). Accessed November 13, 2024. https://track.afribary.com/works/patterns-of-tsetse-abundance-and-trypanosome-infection-rates-among-habitats-of-surveyed-villages-in-maasai-steppe-of-northern-tanzania