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Biodiversity and prevalence of parasites of domestic pigeons (Columba livia domestica) in a selected semiarid zone of South Khorasan, Iran

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Abstract

Five species of nematodes and cestodes were collected from alimentary canals of pigeons: the nematodes were two species: Ascaridia colombae (16.66%) and Hadjelia truncata (1.96%), while the cestodes were Cotugnia digonopora (13.79%), Raillietina magninumida (18.62%) and Raillietina achinobothridia (32.35%); fecal examination revealed: Eimeria spp. (40.19%) and Cryptosporidium oocysts (2.94%); and blood smears showed: Haemoproteus cloumbae (47/05%); in mouth, throat and larynx: Trichomonans gallinae (57.84%); four species of ectoparasites were collected from feathers and subcutaneous nodules as follows: feathers: Pseudolynchia canariensis (63.72%), Columbicola columbae (79.41%), Menopen gallinea (44.11%); subcutaneous nodules: Laminosioptes cysticola (1.96%). From the parasitic fauna identified in this study, it is imperative to institute an integrated parasitic control through constant changing of litter, regular use of antihelminthics, anticoccidials and dusting of birds with pesticides.

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Acknowledgments

This project was funded by the Shahid Bahonar University of Kerman. We also thank Mr. Mansour Aminzadeh for his technical support.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Pathobiology, School of Veterinary Medicine, Shahid Bahonar University of Kerman, Kerman, Iran

    Mohammad Hossein Radfar

  2. Shahid Bahonar University of Kerman, Kerman, Iran

    Ehsan Norouzi Asl, Hadi Rezaei Seghinsara & Saeid Fathi

  3. Department of Pathobiology, School of Veterinary Medicine, Shahid Bahonar University of Kerman, Kerman, Iran

    Mohammad Mirzaei Dehaghi

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  1. Mohammad Hossein Radfar
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  2. Ehsan Norouzi Asl
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  3. Hadi Rezaei Seghinsara
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Correspondence to Ehsan Norouzi Asl.

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Radfar, M.H., Asl, E.N., Seghinsara, H.R. et al. Biodiversity and prevalence of parasites of domestic pigeons (Columba livia domestica) in a selected semiarid zone of South Khorasan, Iran. Trop Anim Health Prod 44, 225–229 (2012). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11250-011-0002-3

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