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20 November 2020 Ectoparasites and Intestinal Helminths of Pigeons in Medina, Saudi Arabia
Medhat Ali, Reda Ibrahim, Saeed Alahmadi, Hayam Elshazly
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Abstract

The prevalence of ectoparasites and intestinal helminths of different pigeon taxa in Medina, Saudi Arabia, with special emphasis on the feral pigeon, Columba livia domestica (Columbiformes: Columbidae), was evaluated. Fifty-four pigeons were examined externally for ectoparasites and 28 feral pigeons were examined for helminths. Two ectoparasites were recorded on feral C. l. domestica (Harami) pigeons, including the shaft louse Menopon gallinae (Phthiraptera: Menoponidae), and the pigeon fly, Pseudolynchia canariensis (Diptera: Hippoboscidae), with 100 and 88.90% prevalence, respectively. Ectoparasites were also collected from 5 other breeds of C. l. domestica (Pakistani, Farensi, Turki, Kori, and Qatifi). Menopon gallinae infected Pakistani, Farensi, and Turki pigeons with 100% prevalence. A third ectoparasite, the brown poultry louse, Goniodes dissimilis (Psocodea: Philopteridae), infected Farensi, Turki, and Kori pigeons at rates of 100, 50, and 50%, respectively. Qatifi pigeons were not infected with any ectoparasites. Two types of intestinal helminths were recovered from feral pigeons: cestodes of Raillietina spp. (Cyclophyllidea: Davaineidae) and nematodes of Ascaridia sp. (Ascaridida: Ascaridiidae) (with 10.71 and 3.57% prevalences, respectively). To the best of our knowledge, this is the first study to shed light on the parasites of pigeons in Medina, Saudi Arabia.

© American Society of Parasitologists 2020
Medhat Ali, Reda Ibrahim, Saeed Alahmadi, and Hayam Elshazly "Ectoparasites and Intestinal Helminths of Pigeons in Medina, Saudi Arabia," Journal of Parasitology 106(6), 721-729, (20 November 2020). https://doi.org/10.1645/20-64
Published: 20 November 2020
KEYWORDS
Ascaridia
ectoparasites
Goniodes dissimilis
intestinal helminths
Menopon gallinae
pigeons
Pseudolynchia canariensis
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