DOI: 10.5061/dryad.37pvmcvvv
title: Data from: Epidemiological assessment of ectoparasite prevalence in the dromedary camel (<em>Camelus dromedarius</em>) in the Sahara Desert

description: Dromedary camels, Camelus dromedarius Linnaeus (Artiodactyla, Camelidae),
 are vital to the livelihoods of nomadic and pastoralist communities in the
 Sahara Desert. However, they are susceptible to ectoparasites, which can
 significantly impact their health and productivity, as well as their
 potential role in transmitting zoonotic diseases. This study aimed to
 investigate the prevalence, species composition, and infestation levels of
 ectoparasites in dromedaries from different camel herds (CH) across
 northern Algeria's Sahara Desert. Additionally, we assessed the
 effects of CH and camel age and sex on parasite loads and infestation
 patterns regarding the host's affected body region. A total of 68
 camels out of 135, randomly selected from four herds CH1-CH4, were
 surveyed for ectoparasites. Ectoparasites were counted, collected, and
 identified in the laboratory. Pearson correlation tests were employed to
 analyze the relationship between parasite indices. Similarity analysis was
 conducted to compare ectoparasite species composition among the sampled
 CH. The overall infestation level of ectoparasites across the CH was
 61.76% with 511 ectoparasite individuals identified. Significant regional
 variation in tick prevalence was observed: CH1 (88.24%), CH2 (64.71%), CH3
 (58.82%), and CH4 (35.29%) (p &lt; 0.001). The most prevalent
 ectoparasites were ticks, with four species identified: Hyalomma
 dromedarii Koch (Ixodida, Ixodidae) (45.21%), Hyalomma marginatum
 marginatum Koch (Ixodida, Ixodidae) (18%), Rhipicephalus sanguineus sensu
 lato Latreille (Ixodida, Ixodidae) (7.63%), and Ixodes ricinus Linnaeus
 (Ixodida, Ixodidae) (4.9%). In addition, one mite
 species, Sarcoptes scabiei Linnaeus (Sarcoptiformes,
 Sarcoptidae), one flea species, Ctenocephalides arabicus Jordan
 (Siphonaptera, Pulicidae), and one fly species, Wohlfahrtia
 magnifica Schiner (Diptera, Sarcophagidae), were identified. Similarity
 analysis showed a 70% overlap in ectoparasite species composition between
 herds, suggesting common environmental and management-related risk
 factors. Overall, the abdomen exhibited the highest percentage of
 ectoparasites at 22.7%, followed by the neck and sternum (17.8%), and the
 anal and tail area (17.4%). Adults accounted for 86.1% of infestations,
 with notable contributions from the abdomen (17.0%) and neck/sternum
 (15.9%), while young camels made up only 13.9%. The high ectoparasite
 infestation level, particularly ticks, underscores the need for a
 comprehensive control plan, especially in herds managed under extensive or
 nomadic systems. Future research should focus on identifying risk factors
 and exploring ectoparasite control strategies to reduce the burden on
 camel health and prevent potential zoonotic disease transmission in the
 region.
description: <strong>A camel herd sampling and epidemiological survey
 were conducted</strong> Four sites located in
 different municipalities were investigated using a simple random sampling,
 characterized by two modes of camel husbandry: periurban and extensive.
 The periurban system focuses on selling camel milk to travelers on the
 main roads. The study commenced in March and concluded in June 2021,
 coinciding with the onset of the hot dry season in the study area. The
 assistance of public veterinarians was essential to facilitate access to
 the farms and communication with breeders. The owners of the surveyed
 camels provided their verbal consent for tick sample collection. The total
 number of camels across the four surveyed herds was 135. Herd sizes varied
 from 17 to 40 camels, with a higher number of females than males in each
 camel herd (CH) surveyed. The age range of camels among the four herds
 varied from four months to eight years. The primary camel populations and
 breeds identified in this study include Sahraoui, Naili Reguibi, Châambi,
 and Ouled Sidi Cheikh. This diversity in breeds may be attributed to camel
 herders obtaining camels from different regions of Algeria. Camel breeders
 have varying levels of experience in camel husbandry, ranging from ten
 years (CH4) to 15 years (CH1). Other breeders (CH2, CH3) have acquired
 their knowledge of this occupation through succession from family members
 (father or grandfather), having interacted with camels since childhood
 without undergoing specialized training in the field. As shown in Table 1,
 the predominant camel breeding system is periurban intensive. Notably, the
 majority of breeders (75%) also raise several other animal species, such
 as sheep, goats, and cattle, in the same stable.
 <strong>Sampling and collection of
 ectoparasites</strong> Quota sampling (n = 17)
 was employed from the total number of animals in each herd, with each
 quota sample (n) comprising two age categories: adult camels aged 3 to 8
 years and calves aged ≤ 6 months, including both sexes. Additionally,
 several anatomical locations were recorded for all ectoparasites. The
 primary objective was to obtain samples that are as representative as
 possible of the general parasitic infestation state of each examined
 camel, without modification. Sampling was conducted in accordance with
 species life profiles, as recommended by Walker et al. (2003). To count
 ectoparasites and collect samples for laboratory identification, all body
 parts of the sampled camels were visually inspected. Ectoparasites such as
 ticks, mites, and fleas were enumerated. For the estimation of fly
 infestation, every visible lesion, including fly larvae, was considered.
 The collected samples were placed individually in labeled vials.
 Collection was performed using specialized forceps, ensuring that the
 rostrum of the parasite was completely removed from the animal's
 skin. The ectoparasites collected were stored in hermetically sealed vials
 with 70% alcohol added until the identification stage.
 <strong>Identification of ectoparasitic
 species</strong> The confirmation of ectoparasite
 identification was conducted in the parasitology laboratory at Biskra
 University (Algeria), where a voucher of the specimens was also deposited
 and preserved for future reference. After measuring body tick size, the
 specimens were examined using a binocular magnifying glass (MOTIC, 20×),
 followed by an optical binocular microscope with 40× magnification.
 Subsequently, samples were photographed and identified based on the
 determination keys and identification criteria outlined by Walker et al.
 (2003) and Meddour-Bouderda and Meddour (2006). Abundance data were
 obtained by counting the number of individuals of each species.
description: # Data from: Epidemiological assessment of ectoparasite prevalence in the
 dromedary camel (*Camelus dromedarius*) in the Sahara Desert
 [https://doi.org/10.5061/dryad.37pvmcvvv](https://doi.org/10.5061/dryad.37pvmcvvv) ## Description of the data Datasets used in the article entitled "Epidemiological assessment of ectoparasite prevalence in the Dromedary Camel (*Camelus dromedarius*) in the Sahara Desert" published in "Medical and Veterinary Entomology". The dataset reported in the Excel file named "Attir_et_al._2025_raw_data.xlsx" includes one sheet, named "**Raw data of Attir et al. 2025**". Title of the article: Epidemiological assessment of ectoparasite prevalence in the Dromedary Camel (Camelus dromedarius) in the Sahara Desert **Raw data of Attir et al. 2025**: Dataset of characteristics of the sampled herds and camel breeders according to age and sex in the region of Ouled Djellal (Northern Sahara Desert of Algeria, and abundance-based distribution of ectoparasites per individual camel sampled. ## **File structure** **Attir_et_al._2025_raw_data.xlsx**: dataset of characteristics of the sampled herds and camel breeders according to age and sex in the region of Ouled Djellal (Northern Sahara Desert of Algeria), and abundance-based distribution of ectoparasites per individual camel sampled. Sample size of infested camels (n=42) The columns of the sheet include: * **Camel herd (CH)**: camel herd of the infested camel individual - **Region**: camels were examined at four regions: Gharbaa, Bir Nâam, Chaiba, and Doucen * **Breeding system**: the camel breeding in the study region follows the types: Extensive pastoral, Semi-extensive, and Periurban intensive - **Sampled camels**: the ID of the infested camel * **Age category**: Age the camel categorized as Adult or Young - **Camel sex**: Male or Female * **Fleas**: species of the fleas parasitizing the camel individual, with its abundance reported between round brackets - **Flies**: species of flies parasitizing the camel individual, with its abundance reported between round brackets * **Mites**: species of the mites parasitizing the camel individual, with its abundance reported between round brackets - **Ticks**: species of the ticks parasitizing the camel individual, with its abundance reported between round brackets * **Body location**: camel’s body regions from where the ectoparasites were collected. Code of these regions includes *Ns*: Neck and sternum, *Ab*: Abdomen, *At*: Anal and tail area, *Lp*: Legs and pads, *Ar*: Auricular area, *Hd*: Head except for ears, *Ud*: Udder or inguinal region