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Abstract
SUMMARY AND CONCLUSION
Parasitic infestations are considered important means of losses among all species of birds including poultry.
Many blood sucking arthropods live as permanent or temporary ectoparasites of birds. However, non blood sucking arthropods live in association with birds in the same shelter. Both might participate in transmission of parasites to these birds, some of which are known to have considerable pathogenicity.
Therefore due to the economic importance of birds it was necessary to investigate some of the arthropods which act as intermediate hosts for helminths and vectors for protozoal parasites of some birds.
This study was carried out in Assiut Governorate during the period from April 1999 till December 2002.
Dissection of 2314 Alphitobius diaperinus from chicken houses revealed the presence of cysticercoids of Cotugnia digonopora in only seven beetles, (0.3%). On the other hand, dissection of 1939 of the beetle Tribolium confusum does not reveal any larval cestodes.
During the present study, experimental infection of chickens with recovered cysticercoids failed due to either the small number of cysticercoids or they may be not fully mature. Actually, the small size of the present cysticercoids as well as the clear difference of the tail length obviously denote that they were representing different ages and that all of them were probably still immature forms.
Under laboratory conditions Alphitobius diaperinus and Tribolium confusum failed to contract the infection with viable gravid segments of Raillietina cesticillus, R.tetragona, R.echinobothrida, Choanotaenia infundibulum, Hymenolepis carioca and Cotugnia digonopora. It seems that experimental infection of beetles is difficult.
The results of this work showed that dissection of 1170 of the beetle Alphitobius diaperinus revealed the presence of the encysted larvae of the nematode Hadjelia truncata in their body cavities. The incidence of natural infection with the encysted larvae was 19.91%.
Experimental infection of pigeons with the encysted larvae of Hadjelia truncata was carried out and the larvated eggs of H.truncata were recovered in the faeces of pigeons after 43-50 days from the time of infection.
The adult H.truncata was recovered after slaughtering the pigeons which was found under the lining membrane of the Gizzard.
Morphology of the encysted larvae, the adult male and female was described.
Different morphological features of the present worms were compared with those previously described from Egypt. Many differences were noticed in total and differential measurements of males and females, the relative length of left and right spicules as well as size of eggs. However, these were considered as due to different methods used for measurements as well as normal biological deviations that could not be used to create new varieties, subspecies or species.
Examination of blood films of 195 domestic pigeons revealed that 153 were infected with Haemoproteus (78.5%). More than one species of Haemoproteus were found affecting domestic pigeons:
Haemoproteus columbae, Haemoproteus columbae var. I, Haemoproteus columbae var. II and Haemoproteus palumbis; sexual and asexual stages of these species were redescribed and illustrated.
Comparing the morphological features of Haemoproteus columbae var. I and var. II with those of Haemoproteus columbae showed that minor – but clear- characteristic differences could be seen in gametocytes and even in premature stages. Such differences, together with other variations in location of the parasite in red cells and its effect on the infected cell, clearly differentiate between H.columbae and its 2 varieties. The present worker even suggested to raise the 2 varieties to the level of subspecies or even species because:
1- Variations in the shape of the gametocytes have been confirmed by several authors which make them constant differnces.
2- Finger-like processes of H.columbae var. I could be seen also in immature forms.
However, the present worker recommended further life cycle studies to ascertain the validity of their taxonomy.
Pseudolynchia canariensis was found to be a permanent ectoparasitic fly for the nestles and the adult domestic pigeons.
Dissection of naturally infected P.canariensis revealed the presence of developmental stages of Haemoproteus in their gut, also sporozoites of Haemoproteus were recovered in the salivary glands of the fly which were rare. These stages were described and illustrated.
Argas persicus was the only species of tick parasitizing the fowls, ducks and pigeons.
Examination of blood films of 150 fowls, 60 ducks and 195 pigeons revealed different developmental stages of Babesiosoma parasitizing their blood at a rate of 23.3%, 21.66% and 1.03% respectively. These developmental stages of Babesiosoma were redescribed and illustrated.
During the present study, Babesiosoma species was descirbed for the first time from pigeons, either as single infection or together with Haemoproteus. Moreover, the present worker considered the great similarity between Babesiosoma gallinarum and B.anseris of ducks as well as the Babesiosoma sp. found in this study in pigeons. They were, therefore considered as one and the same species. According to taxonomical rules and low of priority it should be named Babesiosoma anseris which was the first Babesiosoma sp. described from birds