A study of ecto- and endo-parasites of domestic pigeons in Morogoro Municipality, Tanzania
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Date
2010
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Academic Journals
Abstract
A study was conducted to assess the prevalence of parasites of domestic pigeons in Morogoro
Municipality, Tanzania. 100 nestlings and 100 adult pigeons were examined for the presence of ecto and
endoparasites. 159 pigeons (79.5%) were infected with one or more species of gastrointestinal
helminthes, 124 (62%) had one or more ectoparasites and 74 (37%) were infected with haemoparasites.
The 3 subfamilies represented two cestodes and one nematode, whereas no trematodes were found.
Three species of helminthes Raillietina tetragona (6%), Raillietina echinobothrida (63%) and Ascaridia
galli (15.5%) were identified. Three different species of ectoparasites (Pseudolynchia canariensis
(61.5%), Menocanthus stramineus (0.5%) and Menopon gallinae (0.5%), and 1 haemoparasite species
Haemoproteus columbae were identified. Prevalence of gastrointestinal worms was significantly higher
(P < 0.001) in adults than in nestlings. Nestlings appeared to be less susceptible to gastrointestinal
cestodes but more susceptible to nematodes compared with adults. P. canariensis were found in both
nestlings and adults pigeons while M. stramineus and M. gallinae were found in adult only. Prevalence
of ectoparasites was not statistically significant (P < 1) between the two age groups. The prevalence of
H. columbae was statistically higher (P < 0.001) in adults. Further studies are recommended in
assessing the effects of the parasites on the pigeons’ health and production.
Description
Keywords
Pigeons, Free-range, Gastrointestinal helminthiasis, Prevalence