Goniocotes Gallinae Research Articles

Ecto and Endo Parasites Prevalence in Domestic Chickens in Sulaimani Region

The study was conducted on 65 local adult chickens (Gallus domesticus) to investigate macro - and microscopically presence of external and internal parasites and their prevalence in Sulaimani region-Kurdistan/Iraq from May to July 2012. Results showed that 90.77 % out of total examined chickens were infested with ecto-parasites, out of that 81.36 % (48/59) were infested with lice such as (Menacanthus stramineus, Goniocotes gallinae, Menopon gallinae, Goniodes gigas, Cuclotogaster heterographus ) and 62.72 (37/59) of it with larval stage of soft tick such as (Argas persicus). Mixed infestations with more than two ecto-parasite species were detected. On the other hand 89.23% out of 65 examined chickens were infected by internal parasites including nematodes and cestodes such as (Heterakis gallinarum which formed 81% and the remains were Ascaridia galli, Cheilospirura hamulosa, Capillaria spp., Raillietina spp., Choanotaenia infundibulum, Amoebotaenia sphenoides, Hymenolepis carioca and Davaniea proglottina).

Prevalence and Distribution of Chewing Lice (Phthiraptera) in Free Range Chickens from the Traditional Rearing System in the Algerian North East, Area of El-Tarf

A study was carried out on 144 local chickens (Gallus gallus domesticus), from rural area of El-Tarf to determine the prevalence of chewing lice (Phthiraptera). The overall prevalence rate was 100% in the El- Tarf poultry. Nine different species of chewing lice were identified during this study: Menopon gallinae, Goniocotes gallinae, Lipeurus caponis, Goniodes dissimilis, Goniodes gigas, Menacanthus stramineus, Cuclotogaster heterographus, Menacanthus cornutus and Menacanthus pallidulus. Menopon gallinae (97.2%) was the most prevalent lice identified. The mean intensity of lice in the area of El-Tarf was 172.5 per chicken. Menopon gallinae was the species which has the highest mean intensity of infestation (83.2%). The distribution of nine chewing lice on poultry and their most preferred sites was determined.

Parasitismo de Gallus Gallus (Linnaeus, 1758) por espécies de Phthiraptera em criações coloniais na região sul do Rio Grande Do Sul, Brasil

Este estudo foi realizado com o objetivo de conhecer os piolhos (ordem Phthiraptera: Subordens Amblycera e Ischnocera) infestantes de galinhas de criações coloniais no Sul do Rio Grande do Sul. Cinquenta fêmeas adultas foram examinadas, de 10 propriedades rurais localizadas em 5 diferentes municípios. As aves foram eutanasiadas e posteriormente lavadas com água e detergente para coleta dos ectoparasitos através de filtragem por passagem em tamis com malha de 150 µm, separando-se em sedimento e sobrenadante, os quais foram preservados em etanol 70% até os processos de triagem e identificação. Cerca de 19.437 piolhos foram examinados e apresentaram a seguinte composição específica: os resultados indicam que a fauna de Phthiraptera em galinhas caipiras na região é composta por: Menopon gallinae (85,9%), Goniodes dissimilis (6,1%), Lipeurus caponis (3,0%), Goniocotes gallinae (2,5%), Menacanthus pallidus (2,1%) e Menacanthus stramineus (0,1%). Constatou-se que todas as aves examinadas estavam parasitadas por uma ou mais espécies de Phthiraptera, com predomínio de infestações múltiplas e moderadas (101 a 1.000 piolhos/ave). M. gallinae é a espécie mais prevalente e abundante (100% das aves parasitadas e média de 334,1 espécimes/ave). O grau de infestação das aves variou entre as propriedades, com médias de 41,2 a 680 piolhos/ave.

Prevalence and seasonal variation of ectoparasite in pigeon, <I>Columba livia</I> (Gmelin, 1789) of Dhaka, Bangladesh

A total of 60 pigeons, Columba livia (25 males and 35 females) were examined for ectoparasites. All the birds were infected (100%) by 10 species of ectoparasites. The ectoparasite comprised lice: 60 (100%) Menopon gallinae, 28 (46.66%) Menacanthus stramineus, 43 (71.66%) Colpocephalum turbinatum, 60 (100%) Columbicola columbae, 31 (51.66%) Lipeurus caponis, 19 (31.66%) Goniocotes gallinae, 28 (46.66%) Chelopistes meleagridis; fleas: five (8.33%) Echidnophaga gallinacean; flies: 38 (63.33%) Pseudolynchia canariensis and eight (13.33%) of mites Dermanyssus gallinae. Serious damage was observed in wing feathers (31.74%). The females had a higher intensity (30.11) of infestation than the males (29.04). The ectoparasites were removed from the pigeons throughout the year. The overall intensity of infestation was highest during summer (40.69) and lowest during winter (21.94).

Phthiraptera (Arthropoda, Insecta) in Gallus gallus from isolated and mixed backyard rearing systems

The objectives were to identify the species of chewing lice (Mallophaga) at different body sites in chickens (Gallus gallus), in isolated and mixed rearing systems, and to determine the dynamics and structure of the louse populations collected. The prevalences were 100 and 35% for chickens in the isolated and mixed systems, respectively. The species recorded were: Menopon gallinae, Menacanthus stramineus, Goniodes gigas, Goniocotes gallinae and Lipeurus caponis. The chickens in the isolated system presented more lice than did the ones in the mixed system. The most prevalent species were M. gallinae (30.58 and 62.31%) and L. caponis (29.12 and 14.49%), in the isolated and mixed systems, respectively. The preferential sites of parasitism were the dorsum, venter and wings among the chickens in the isolated system, while among the ones in the mixed system, the preferential sites were the dorsum and venter. The mean intensity of infestation in the isolated system was 111.4 for males and 19.1 for females, while in the mixed system it was 80 for males and 6.75 for females. The amplitudes of the infestation were 1-226 for males and 1-22 for females in the isolated system, while in the mixed system, the amplitudes were 1-111 and 1-8, respectively. It can be concluded that chickens reared in the isolated system harbor a greater number of lice than do chickens in the mixed system. However, the kind of rearing system does not prevent louse infestations.

Prevalence and seasonal variation of ectoparasite load in free-range chicken of Kashmir valley

A faunistical study of ectoparasites was carried out for a period of two years from January 2005 to December 2006 in rural free-range chicken purchased from different areas of Kashmir valley. Screening of a total of 478 birds revealed only lice infestation with an overall prevalence of about 100% and 97.69% birds harboring multiple species. The prevalence for various species of lice, during winter, spring, summer, autumn and overall prevalence respectively, was 90.32%, 99.14%, 100%, 98.34% and 96.86% for Lipeurus caponis; 33.87%, 48.71%, 57.75%, 39.66% and 44.76% for Goniodes gigas; 29.83%, 32.47%, 45.68%, 32.23% and 34.93% for Menopon gallinae; 28.22%, 32.47%, 39.65%, 32.23% and 33.05% for Menacanthus cornutus; 16.12%, 19.65%, 25%, 18.18% and 19.66% for Goniocotes gallinae and 6.45%, 12.82%, 13.79%, 4.95% and 9.41% for Eomenacanthus stramineus. The seasonal influence on nature and intensity of infestation was evident.

Espécies, sítios de localização, dinâmica e estrutura de populações de malófagos em galinhas caipiras (Gallus gallus L.) criadas na Ilha de São Luis, MA

The objective of this work was to identify the phthirapteran species, to determine the prevalence according to the anatomical region of the body and to know the dynamics and composition of the population of these ectoparasites in free-range chicken in São Luis Island, state of Maranhão. Inspection was performed in 40 chickens and feathers were collected from the head, neck, wing, thigh, dorsal and ventral regions and cloacae. The phthirapteran species identified were: Menopon gallinae L., Menacanthus stramineus Nitzsch, Menacanthus pallidulus Neumann, Menacanthus cornutus Schommer (Menoponidae), and Lipeurus caponis L., Goniodes dissimilis Denny and Goniocotes gallinae De Geer (Philopteridae). L. caponis was collected from all regions sampled, including the head, which was the least infested region. The dorsum was the most infested, especially in the dry period of the year and where the greater parasitic diversity was observed, the wing and the head were the least infested regions. Considering the dynamics and the composition of the population the phthirapteran presented a prevalence of 85% of the sampled chickens, the mean intensity of infestation was 45.3 varying from <1 to 453. The egg stage was superior to the others life stages followed by nymphs and female adults, independent of the phthirapteran species.

A biometrical analysis of measurements in poultry lice (Phthiraptera)

Nine morphometric characters of the common poultry ectoparasites (Menopon gallinae, Eomenacunthus stramineus, Goniocotes gallinae and Lipeurus gallinae) were described by the statistics of location and dispersion. The departure of these data from normality was tested by the skewness and kurtosis.

Arthropodes ectoparasites du dindon (&lt;em&gt;Meleagris gallopavo&lt;/em&gt;) dans le nord-ouest du Bénin

Une étude a été menée d’août 2003 à mars 2004 sur les arthropodes ectoparasites du dindon, élevé selon le mode extensif dans le département de la Donga (nord-ouest du Bénin). Sur un échantillon de 657 animaux examinés, 524 étaient porteurs de parasites, soit un taux global d’infestation de 79,8 p. 100. Treize espèces ont été identifiées : Cnemidocoptes mutans, Epidermoptes bilobatus, Dermanyssus gallinae, Hyalomma rufipes, Amblyomma variegatum, Argas persicus et Haemaphysalis hoodi pour les acariens ; Menopon gallinae, Menacanthus stramineus, Lipeurus caponis, Goniodes meleagridis, Goniocotes gallinae et Echidnophaga gallinacea pour les insectes. Les résultats ont montré que la prévalence du parasitisme due aux insectes était significativement plus élevée que celle due aux acariens (p &lt; 0,05). Les acariens fixés à la peau étaient répartis sur tout le corps des oiseaux, tandis que les insectes étaient observés sur le plumage et le corps. Le taux d’infestation a été plus élevé pendant la période humide de l’étude (p &lt; 0,05). La prévalence du parasitisme a augmenté significativement avec l’âge des oiseaux (p &lt; 0,05). Menacanthus stramineus a été le parasite présentant la prévalence la plus élevée. Cette situation, liée au mode traditionnel de l’élevage pratiqué dans cette région du Bénin, laisse envisager des mesures de lutte associant les traitements antiparasitaires des oiseaux à l’hygiène de l’habitat et de l’alimentation.

Chewing lice (Phthiraptera) on chickens ( Gallus gallus) from small backyard flocks in the eastern part of the Czech Republic

One hundred and sixty chickens ( Gallus gallus) from 31 small, private backyard flocks in the eastern part of the Czech Republic were examined for chewing lice (Phthiraptera: Amblycera, Ischnocera). At least one species of chewing lice was found on every bird examined. Seven species of chewing lice were identified in all; they had the following prevalences and mean intensities: Goniocotes gallinae (100%; 110 lice), Menopon gallinae (88%; 50), Menacanthus stramineus (48%; 17), Lipeurus caponis (35%; 12), Menacanthus cornutus (12%; 9), Cuclotogaster heterographus (1%; 4) and Goniocotes microthorax (1%; 3). Just two birds from a single flock were heavily infested with the ischnoceran species G. gallinae.

Population Expansion of the Poultry Fluff Louse, Goniocotes gallinae (De Geer, 1778) (Ischnocera, Phthiraptera)

A study was undertaken to determine the rate of population expansion of an ischnoceran Phthiraptera, Goniocotes gallinae (infesting the domestic fowl, Gallus gallus domesticus), on the basis of in vitro and in vivo studies. Data obtained from in vitro rearing were utilized to construct the life history of the louse. The values of the gross reproductive rate (12.49 female eggs/female), net reproductive rate (8.31 female eggs/female), mean length of generation (36.91 days), precise generation time (35.65 days), finite rate of increase (1.06 female/days), and intrinsic rate of natural increase (0.059) of G. gallinae were determined. However, doubling-time values recorded during in vivo studies (14 days) was comparatively higher than those during in vitro rearing (11.73 days).

Ecto-, endo- and haemoparasites in free-range chickens in the Goromonzi District in Zimbabwe

A cross-sectional study determined the prevalence of ecto-, endo- and haemoparasites in free-range chickens from the Goromonzi District, Zimbabwe. Fifty young and 50 adult birds were selected randomly. All chickens harboured ecto- and endoparasites, and 32% were infected with haemoparasites. Eight different ectoparasites were identified; the more prevalent ones had the following prevalences (young, %; adult, %): Argas persicus (6; 14), Cnemidocoptes mutans (6; 32), Echidnophaga gallinacea (72; 74), Goniocotes gallinae (0; 22), Menacanthus stramenius (90; 88) and Menopon gallinea (24; 66). The prevalences of C. mutans, G. gallinae and M. gallinae were higher in adults compared to young chickens. The mean (±S.D.) number of helminth species per chicken was 6.7±2.0 for young chickens and 6.4±2.0 for adult chickens with a range of 1–10 for young chickens and a range of 1–11 for adult chickens. The most prevalent nematodes identified were (with prevalence in % for young/adult birds): Allodapa suctoria (76; 72), Ascaridia galli (48; 24), Gongylonema ingluvicola (28; 56), Heterakis gallinarum (64; 62) and Tetrameres americana (70; 62). For cestodes the prevalences were: Amoebotaenia cuneata (60; 68), Hymenolepis spp. (62; 80), Raillietina echinobothrida (66; 34), Raillietina tetragona (94; 100) and Skrjabinia cesticillus (50; 76). The young chickens had higher prevalences of A. galli and R. echinobothrida compared to adults, but lower prevalence of G. ingluvicola and S. cesticillus. Eimeria spp. oocysts were isolated in 36% of 47 investigated samples. The prevalence was 47% for young chickens and 18% for adult chickens. Prevelances (in %) of haemoparasites in young and adult chickens were: Aegyptinella pullorum (7; 6), Leucocytozoon sabrazesi (3; 1), Plasmodium gallinaceum (8; 6) and Trypanosoma avium (2; 3).

Association between Duration of Humid Season and Geographical Distribution Patterns of Different Species of Chewing Lice (Mallophaga: Insecta) Infesting Domestic Chickens in Nigeria

In a countrywide study of the geographical distribution patterns of chicken lice in Nigeria, 3 species, Menacanthus pallidulus (Neumann 1912), Goniodes dissimilis Denny, 1842, and Menopon gallinae (Linnaeus, 1758), were completely restricted to within areas with a long humid season (6-12 humid mo per yr). In constrast, 4 species, Cuclotogaster occidentalis Tendeiro, 1954, Menacanthus cornutus (Schommer, 1913), Amyrsidea powelli (Bedford, 1920), and Goniodes gigas (Taschenberg, 1879), thrived only in areas where the humid season was of a short duration (< or = 5 mo). The last 3 named species extended also into the fringes of areas with a long humid season (6-8 humid mo) at significantly reduced numbers. They were entirely absent in areas with a particularly protracted humid season (9-12 humid mo). Three other species. Numidilipeurus tropicalis (Peters, 1931), Goniocotes gallinae (DeGeer, 1778), and Lipeurus caponis (Linnaeus, 1758), were just as abundant in areas of a long humid season as they were in areas with a short humid season. It was concluded that there was an association between duration of the humid season and the geographical distribution patterns of certain species of chicken lice in Nigeria. The duration of the humid season might thus provide a means of predicting the potential occurrence of some species of chicken lice in a particular area.

The distribution of lice (Phthiraptera) on poultry ( Gallus domesticus)

The distribution of three amblyceran ( Menacanthus straminens, Menacanthus cornutus, Menopon gallinae) and five ischnoceran species ( Lipeurus lawrensis tropicalis, Lipeurus caponis, Goniocotes gallinae, Goniodes gigas, Goniodes dissimilis) on poultry was determined. The preferred sites of these species on the host body were recorded.

Ectoparasites of guinea fowl (Numida meleagris galeata Pallas) and local domestic chicken (Gallus gallus) in southern Guinea Savanna, Nigeria.

The ectoparasites of poultry in a southern guinea savanna zone were investigated by the examination of guinea fowl and local domestic chickens in the range and guinea fowl under intensive management. The prevalent ectoparasites of range guinea fowl and local chickens include seven species of lice Menacanthus stramineus, Menopon gallinae, Goniodes gigas, Goniocotes gallinae, Lipeurus caponis, Numidilipeurus tropicalis, Damalinia bovis; three mites Bdellonyssus bursa, Megninia cubitalis, Dermanyssus gallinae; two fleas Echidnophaga gallinacea, Ctenocephalides felis and two ticks Argas persicus and Ambylomma variegatum. Under intensive management, infestation by G. gigas, L. caponis and M. gallinae led to clinical signs, feather damage, reduced food intake and death.

Prevalence and Clinico-Pathological Effects of Ectoparasites in Backyard Poultry

To study the prevalence of ectoparasites and their clinicopathological effects on backyard poultry, 300 poultry of both sexes and different ages were examined in different areas of Patuakhali district from July 2005 to May 2006. Of them 86.67% were infested with one or more species of ectoparasites. Six species of lice such as Menacanthus stramineus (74%), Menopon gallinae (63%), Lipeurus caponis (48%), Cuclotogaster heterographus (25%), Goniodes gigas (18%), and Goniocotes gallinae (14%), two species of mites namely Dermanyssus gallinae (57%), Knemidocoptes mutans, (43%) and one species of fly, Simulium sp. (3.7%) were identified. Among these, M. stramineus was the most common. Aged above 5 months, 100% poultry were infested with ectoparasites but cocks and broody hens were severely infested. In broody hens, prevalence of D. gallinae was the highest (97.3%). K. mutans (43%) was mostly found in adult poultry aged above two years. The affected birds were emaciated with rough plumage, dandruff, and petechial haemorrhages on the highly infested skin. Small ulcerative lesions were common in Dermanyssus gallinae infestation in which the engorged, red parasites stacked tightly. In K. mutans infestation, legs were rough, swollen with scaly appearance, which was from tibiotarsal joint downwards to the joint of the toes. Some of the severely affected birds showed lameness but no malformation was observed. Histopathologically, scaly leg was characterized by hyperkeratosis and acanthosis. In tissue sections, the mites were observed as transverse or cross section in the deeper parts of the stratum corneum or the superficial layers of the stratum malpighii of the skin and rarely go deeper. In some area of skin, there were losses of epithelium. In advanced cases, there was secondary pyogenic infection; characterized by severe pus cell infiltration in the dermis. The present study suggests that ectoparasitic infestation is very common in the backyard poultry of Bangladesh and they are associated with the production of some clinicopathological effects variable degree. Key words: Prevalence, clinico-pathological effects, ectoparasites, backyard poultry doi:10.3329/bjvm.v4i1.1520 Bangl. J. Vet. Med. (2006). 4 (1) : 19-26

Newer Acaricides and Insecticides in the Control of Ectoparasites of Poultry1

The northern fowl mite ( Ornithonyssus sylviarum (C. & F.)) presents an economic problem of increasing importance in Georgia, nearby states, and probably in other parts of the United States. Increasing incidence is here reported from 18 states while only Washington reported a decrease. Preliminary screening tests were conducted with seven chemicals. Of these 5% Sevin dust, 1.5% dieldrin dust, 25% S-MP powder, and 25% PS-256 powder were found ineffective in control. Dow ET-57, Sulphenone, and Trithion showed promise. Field testing showed that 10% Sulphenone dust reduced the population but did not eradicate the mite. In two field experiments 5% Dow ET-57 dust brought about complete eradication for 8 or more weeks after treatment. Dow ET-57 was also effective in eradication of four species of lice: Eomenacanthus stramineus (Nitz.), Menopon gallinae (L.), Lipeurus caponis -(L.) and Goniocotes gallinae (DeG.) from 195 hens in one of the field trials. Similar results were achieved on the northern fowl mite using 5% Trithion dust. Five per cent malathion dust eradicated an infestation of the sticktight flea, Echidnophaga gallinacea (Westw.). An experiment on hatchability showed no effects upon 90 birds treated with Dow ET-57 as compared with 90 untreated controls. No unfavorable taste effects upon eggs or toxicity symptoms in birds treated with Dow ET-57 or Trithion were observed in these tests.