A survey of chewing lice of some raptors in southern Iraq, with remarks on prevalence and occurrence

Alaa Hatem,Mufid Abou Turab,H.K Abdul-Zahra,Muhammad Muhammad

doi:10.33899/ijvs.2020.126717.1365

Abstract

This study was conducted to isolate and identify the chewing lice from some raptors in Basrah, Thi-Qar, and Missan provinces located in south of Iraq. Samples of birds were collected from January to December 2018. The survey was accomplished with a total of 87 raptors belonging to five species, sparrow hawk Accipiter nisus, marsh harrier Circus aeruginosus, lesser kestrel Falco naumani, kestrel Falco tinnuculus, and black kite Milvus migrans. Totally 58 of 87 birds were infested with chewing lice, the overall prevalence was 66.67%. Five chewing lice species were identified: Craspedorrhynchus platystomus, Degeeriella fulva, Degeeriella fusca, Degeeriella rufa, and Laemobothrion maximum. All these specieswere identified in Iraq for the first time. D. rufa was recorded the highest prevalence in all raptors with 28.74%, whereas C. platystomus was the lowest 10.34%. As for the prevalence of bird’s species, the highest percentage was recorded in kestrels and black kite with 71.43%, while sparrow hawk was the lowest 53.85%. Some notes about ecology and occurrence of the chewing lice were reported.

Highlights

The lice are adapted successful insect ectoparasites of birds and mammals
Birds were infected with a wide variety of ectoparasites such as lice, mites, ticks, hippoboscid flies, fleas and fly larvae [1].The previous studies of raptors in Iraq focused on identification and distribution of these birds
The results of the study showed that chewing lice were infested 58 of 87 specimens of raptors with total prevalence 66.67%

Summary

Introduction

The lice (order: Phthiraptera) are adapted successful insect ectoparasites of birds and mammals. This order is divided into four suborders: Anoplura, Amblycera, Ishnocera and Rhynchophthirina [1]. Chewing lice have mouthparts designed for biting; they feed on feathers and dermal debris [6]. These parasites can be harmful to domestic and wild birds; they can cause some pathological effects [2]. The aims of current study to identify the species diversity of the chewing lice fauna of raptors collected from three provinces located South of Iraq, Basrah, Thi-Qar, and Maissan provinces

Methods

Results

Discussion

Conclusion