ECTOPARASITES AND HELMINTHS OF DOVES AND PIGEONS (AVES: COLUMBIDAE) IN ZARIA, NIGERIA
ECTOPARASITES AND HELMINTHS OF DOVES AND PIGEONS (AVES: COLUMBIDAE) IN ZARIA, NIGERIA
No Thumbnail Available
Date
2007-10
Authors
LUCAS, ADANG, KOMBE
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Abstract
ABSTRACT
A total of seven hundred and thirty six Columbids from Zaria and its environs were examined
for ectoparasites and helminths from March 2002 - February 2004. The ectoparasites
recovered comprised of lice: Columbicola columbae 229 (31.1%), Menopon gallinae 87
(11.8%), Goniodes species 44 (6.0%); fly: Pseudolynchia canariensis 127 (17.5%); mite:
Dermanyssus gallinae 7 (1.0%) and tick: Argas persicus 14 (1.9%). The percentage of mixed
infestation was higher than that of single infestation in Columba livia domestica, Streptopelia
decipiens, Columba guinea and Streptopelia vinacea while that of single infestation was
higher than that of mixed infestation in Streptopelia senegalensis and Turtur abyssinicus. Chi
square test showed no significant association between sex and ectoparasite infestation in all
the Columbids (P>0.05) but showed a significant association between the wet season and
ectoparasite infestation (P<0.05) in Columba livia domestica and Streptopelia senegalensis.
The helminths identified, included cestodes: Raillietina tetragona 154 (20.9%), Raillietina
echinobothrida 100 (13.6%), Raillietina magninumida 15 (2.0%), Raillietina cesticillus 37
(5.0%), Amoebotaenia cuneata 25 (3.4%), Hymenolepis carioca 39 (5.3%) and Hymenolepis
cantaniana 46 (6.3%) and the nematodes: Heterakis gallinarum 11 (1.5%), Ascaridia galli 10
(1.4%) and Ascaridia columbae 27 (3.7%). New hosts records were obtained for Raillietina
magninumida, Hymenolepis cantaniana and Heterakis gallinarum. The percentage of single
infection was higher than that of mixed infection in all the six Columbids. Chi square test
showed no significant association between sex and helminth infections in all the Columbids
(P>0.05) but showed a significant association between the wet season and helminthiasis
(P<0.05) in Columba livia domestica and Streptopelia senegalensis.
The effect of Ascaridia galli in Columba livia domestica was studied and clinical signs
observed in the infected birds were blood-tinged diarrhoea, inappetance, dropsy looks, ruffled
vii
feathers, shivering and emaciation. At the termination of the experiment, 12 weeks after
infection, a significant difference in weekly body weight changes (P<0.05) was observed in
the infected group. However, there was no significant difference (P>0.05) in the weekly
packed cell volume, haemoglobin level and total plasma protein in the infected group. At
necropsy, a total of 87 worms were recovered from 14 of the 30 birds infected and none from
the controls. Histopathologic analysis of the organs showed mononuclear and
polymorphonuclear cellular infiltrations in the necrotized areas of the liver, the lungs had
haemorrhagic areas, congested blood vessels and haemosiderosis. The heart showed focal
areas of necrosis of the myocardial cells and few mononuclear and polymorphonuclear cells
in the necrotized areas, the kidneys had renal tubular necrosis infiltrated by few mononuclear
and polymorphonuclear cells and there was necrosis of the intestine that involved the villi,
intestinal glands and the muscularis mucosa. The study concludes that Columbids in Zaria,
Nigeria, harbour ectoparasites and helminths of veterinary importance. The study
recommends that for any effective control programme, domestic pigeons should be treated
along side poultry since the pigeons may serve as reservoir or alternative hosts to poultry
parasites. The experiment on infection of Columba livia domestica with Ascaridia galli using
squabs may give alternate clinical and pathological information.
Description
DEPARTMENT OF BIOLOGICAL SCIENCES
FACULTY OF SCIENCE
AHMADU BELLO UNIVERSITY, ZARIA
NIGERIA.
Keywords
ECTOPARASITES,, HELMINTHS,, DOVES,, PIGEONS,, AVES,, COLUMBIDAE,, ZARIA,, NIGERIA