Ectoparasites of Streptopelia senegalensis Linnaeus, 1766 (laughing dove) and Columba livia domestica Gmelin, 1789 (domestic pigeon) in Zaria, Nigeria

Abstract

Seventy-one (71) each of Streptopelia senegalensis and Columba livia domestica were collected from the wild and the market, and examined for ectoparasites. The result showed that 7(9.86%) S. senegalensis and 43(60.56%) C. livia domestica were infested with ectoparasites. Streptopelia senegalensis was infested by two species, Goniodes species (7.04%) and Columbicola columbae (2.82%) while C. livia domestica was infested by three species, Goniodes sp. (25.35%), Columbicola columbae (19.72%) and Pseudolynchia canariensis (11.27%). Streptopelia senegalensis had ectoparasite prevalence of 5.63% and 4.23% in the wet and dry seasons, respectively while C. livia domestica had prevalence of 29.58% and 30.99% in the wet and dry seasons, respectively. Males of S. senegalensis and C. livia domestica had respective ectoparasite prevalence of 7.32% and 22.54%, while the females had prevalences of 13.33% and 38.04%, respectively. The weight of the birds did not appear to influence parasite prevalence in either the wet or the dry season. The prevalences of parasite infestation of C. livia domestica were significantly higher than those of S. senegalensis p<0.05. The market or home cages of the domestic pigeons should be cleaned routinely to minimize reinfestation by ectoparasites.