ABSTRACT
The new species Menacanthus palmai collected from Coturnix coromandelica (Gmelin), in Rampur district (UP), India, is described and illustrated. Morphologically the new species is close to M. abdominalis from Coturnix coturnix but differs in having long pointed ventral processes on the postero-medial angles of the second to fifth pleurites. Furthermore, these two species also differ in the number of tergal and sternal abdominal setae, and the morphology of the male genitalia. Another species, Menacanthus pallipes from C. chinensis, does not have ventral processes on the postero-medial angles of pleurites.
ABSTRACT
OBJECTIVE: The present study was performed to record the mean monthly prevalence, intensity of infestation, sample mean abundance and frequency distribution pattern of one phthirapteran species infesting of A. anseris. METHODS: Ten birds were examined every month. Infested birds were deloused. The bird was placed in a polythene bag containing a wool of cotton soaked in chloroform (head protruded out to allow breathing). After 10 minutes, the bird's feathers were ruffled on a white plastic sheet placed below. The head was examined separately. The louse load was transferred to 70% alcohol and separated stage wise and sex wise. RESULTS: A total of 339 specimens of A. anseris were recovered from 66 infested hosts. Male-female ratio was 1: 1.8. Prevalence of Anaticola anseris was 55% (n=120). The sample mean abundance was 2.38 lice/bird. Variance to mean ratio exceeded unity (10.70). The index of discrepancy (D) was 0.75 and the value of exponent of negative binomial (k) remained 0.334.The observed and expected frequencies did not differ significantly (χ2= 13.33, df= 15, p=0.05). CONCLUSION: The prevalence of A. anseris on Indian greylag goose was high but its intensity remained quite low. The distribution pattern of A. anseris conformed the negative binomial model.The temperature, photoperiod and heat index exhibited significant positive correlations with the prevalence of A. anseris.
Subject(s)
Bird Diseases/epidemiology , Geese/parasitology , Ischnocera/growth & development , Lice Infestations/veterinary , Animals , Bird Diseases/parasitology , Feathers/parasitology , Female , Lice Infestations/epidemiology , Lice Infestations/parasitology , Male , Prevalence , Seasons , Turkey/epidemiologyABSTRACT
OBJECTIVE: Present study was performed to record the oviposition and egg laying pattern of two phthirapteran species infesting red whiskered Bulbul. METHODS: The number of egg laid by each species on different parts of body was recorded by direct observation under stereozoom binocular microscope. Feathers bearing egg were subjected to SEM to observe the pattern of egg laying. RESULTS: The maximum percentage of egg of the ischnoceran louse, Brueelia guldum were recorded on feather of back region, followed by neck and breast. The amblyceran louse, Menacanthus eurysternus prefers to lay eggs mainly on neck, head and nape feathers. CONCLUSION: The ischnoceran louse, Brueelia guldum exhibits widespread oviposition sites while amblyceran louse, Menacanthus eurysternus shows restricted oviposition sites on the host body.
Subject(s)
Bird Diseases/parasitology , Lice Infestations/veterinary , Oviposition , Passeriformes/parasitology , Phthiraptera/physiology , Amblycera/physiology , Animals , Feathers/parasitology , Feathers/ultrastructure , Female , Ischnocera/physiology , Lice Infestations/parasitology , Microscopy, Electron, Scanning/veterinary , OvumABSTRACT
Prevalences of two phthirapteran species (an ischnoceran, Brueelia amandavae, and an amblyceran, Myrsidea amandava) on 130 Red Avadavats (Amandava amandava) were 36.2 and 20.8% in the district of Rampur, India, from September to December 2004. Sample mean abundances of the two species were 3.43 and 1.53, respectively. The frequency distribution patterns of both species were aggregated. The observed distribution conformed to the expected distribution of the negative binomial model, but only in the case of M. amandava. Adults dominated over nymphs in the overall adult-to-nymph ratio. Sex ratios of both species were skewed (female biased).
Subject(s)
Bird Diseases/parasitology , Lice Infestations/veterinary , Passeriformes/parasitology , Phthiraptera/growth & development , Phthiraptera/physiology , Animals , Bird Diseases/epidemiology , Female , India , Lice Infestations/epidemiology , Lice Infestations/parasitology , Male , Population Density , Population Dynamics , Population Growth , Prevalence , Sex Ratio , Species SpecificityABSTRACT
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).
