ECTOPARASITES AND GASTRO-INTESTINAL HELMINTHS OF STREPTOPELIA SENEGALENSIS LINNAEUS, 1766 (LAUGHING DOVE) AND COLUMBA LIVIA DOMESTICA GMELIN, 1789 (DOMESTIC PIGEON) IN ZARIA, NIGERIA
ECTOPARASITES AND GASTRO-INTESTINAL HELMINTHS OF STREPTOPELIA SENEGALENSIS LINNAEUS, 1766 (LAUGHING DOVE) AND COLUMBA LIVIA DOMESTICA GMELIN, 1789 (DOMESTIC PIGEON) IN ZARIA, NIGERIA
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Date
2018-07
Authors
JOSEPH, Hamza
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Abstract
ABSTRACT Seventy one (71) each of Streptopelia senegalensis and Columba livia domestica were trapped/bought from the wild and the market, anaesthetised and examined for ectoparasites and gastro-intestinal helminths. 7(9.86%) S. senegalensis and 43(60.56%) C. livia domestica were infested with ectoparasites. Streptopelia senegalensis was infested by 2 species, Goniodes species (7.04%) and Columbicola columbae (2.82%) while C. livia domestica was infected by three species, Goniodes sp. (25.35%), Columbicola columbae (19.72%) and Pseudolynchia caraniensis (11.27%). Among the gastro-intestinal helminths recovered was the nematode, Ascaridia galli (25.35%) from C. livia domestica. The cestodes recovered included five morphologically distinct species of Raillietina (species 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5) recovered from both bird species with prevalences of 9.86%, 8.45%, 4.23% 2.82% and 2.82% respectively, in S. senegalensis, and 5.63%, 5.63%, 4.23%, 4.23% and 5.63% respectively, in C. livia domestica. Two additional cestodes, Killigrewia delafondi and Choanotaenia sp. were recovered from the two bird species with respective prevalences of 4.23% and 5.63% in S. senegalensis, and 2.82% and 4.23% in C. livia domestica. Streptopelia senegalensis had total/overall ectoparasite prevalences of 5.63% and 4.23% in the wet and dry seasons, and C. livia domestica had prevalences of 29.58% and 30.99% in wet and dry seasons, respectively. Similarly, seasonal overall prevalence of cestodes (23.94% and 28.17%) occurred in wet and dry seasons in S. senegalensis, and (22.54% and 9.89%) in C. livia domestica. Meanwhile, the only nematode recovered, and only from C. livia domestica, occurred in both the wet and dry seasons with prevalences of 18.31% and 7.04% respectively. Males of S. senegalensis and C. livia domestica had respective ectoparasite prevalences of 7.32% and 22.54%, while females had prevalences of 13.33% and 38.04% respectively. Cestodes had prevalences of 33.80% and 9.86% in males, and 18.31% and 22.54% in females of S. senegalensis and C. livia domestica respectively. A nematode prevalence of 7.04% in male and 18.31% in female C. livia domestica was recorded. The weight of the two birds did not appear to influence parasite prevalence in either the wet or the dry season. Ectoparasite and nematode prevalences with respect to C. livia domestica were significantly higher than those of S. senegalensis (P<0.05) but there were no significant differences in relation to the prevalences of the cestodes in both bird species (P>0.05). It is recommended that more studies be carried out on the parasitic fauna of S. senegalensis and C. livia domestica for a longer period of time, spread over at least two years to get a clearer picture of seasonal parasite infestation. The market or home cages of the domestic pigeons should be cleaned routinely to minimize reinfestation by ectoparasites and helminths.
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A DISSERTATION SUBMITTED TO THE SCHOOL OF POSTGRADUATE STUDIES, AHMADU BELLO UNIVERSITY, ZARIA IN PARTIAL FULFILLMENT OF THE REQUIREMENTS FOR THE AWARD OF MASTER OF SCIENCE (M.Sc.) DEGREE IN ZOOLOGY
Keywords
ECTOPARASITES,, GASTRO-INTESTINAL HELMINTHS,, STREPTOPELIA SENEGALENSIS LINNAEUS, 1766 (LAUGHING DOVE),, COLUMBA LIVIA DOMESTICA GMELIN, 1789 (DOMESTIC PIGEON),, ZARIA,, NIGERIA