Prevalence and Distribution of Ectoparasite Species in Manipuri Pony of Imphal West District, Manipur, India
Oinam Neroda Devi *
Department of Zoology, Parasitology Laboratory, Dhanamanjuri University, Imphal, Manipur, India.
Vimi Raihing
Department of Zoology, Parasitology Laboratory, Dhanamanjuri University, Imphal, Manipur, India.
Chungkham Niranjan
Department of Zoology, Parasitology Laboratory, Dhanamanjuri University, Imphal, Manipur, India.
Bikendra Elangbam
Department of Zoology, Parasitology Laboratory, Dhanamanjuri University, Imphal, Manipur, India.
Anju Pangambam
Department of Zoology, Parasitology Laboratory, Dhanamanjuri University, Imphal, Manipur, India.
Cynthia Phijam
Department of Zoology, Parasitology Laboratory, Dhanamanjuri University, Imphal, Manipur, India.
Chabungbam Bijayalakshmi
Department of Zoology, Parasitology Laboratory, Dhanamanjuri University, Imphal, Manipur, India.
Joymati Laishram
Department of Zoology, Parasitology Laboratory, Dhanamanjuri University, Imphal, Manipur, India.
*Author to whom correspondence should be addressed.
Abstract
The present study was conducted from May 2025 to April 2026 to determine the prevalence and distribution of ectoparasites in Manipuri ponies from Imphal West district, Manipur, India. A total of 135 Manipuri ponies of both sexes were examined from six selected locations, namely Ningombam, Iroisemba, Langol, Langthabal, Meitram, and Lamphel. Ectoparasites were collected through careful physical examination of the body surface and preserved in 70% ethanol for laboratory identification. The collected specimens were identified on the basis of external morphological characters using standard taxonomic keys. Of the 135 ponies examined, 60 were found to be infested, giving an overall prevalence of 44.44%. Village-wise prevalence ranged from 40.00% in Lamphel to 66.67% in Meitram; however, the difference among locations was not statistically significant (χ² = 2.47, p = 0.78). Sex-wise analysis showed no significant difference in ectoparasite prevalence between male (44.00%) and female (45.00%) ponies, and no significant association was observed between host sex and infestation status (χ² = 0.01, p = 0.93). Three ectoparasite taxa were recorded during the study, namely Rhipicephalus microplus, Haemaphysalis spp., and Bovicola equi. Among these, Haemaphysalis spp. was the predominant ectoparasite recorded in the examined population. Species-wise distribution differed significantly among the identified ectoparasites (χ² = 34.14, p < 0.001). The findings provide baseline information on ectoparasite occurrence in Manipuri ponies of Imphal West district and indicate the need for regular monitoring and appropriate ectoparasite-control measures to maintain pony health.
Keywords: Manipuri pony, ectoparasites, prevalence, distribution, Haemaphysalis spp., Rhipicephalus microplus, Bovicola equi, Imphal West, Manipur