A rare documentation of Haematomyzus elephantis lice from elephants of Mathura

Abstract

The present article deals with the rare documentation of elephant louse Haematomyzus elephantis from ceremonial elephants of Vrindavan, Mathura. The reports of this particular louse are very rare in literature as per the Indian context and before this, there is only one recent report of this parasite from India since the last decade. Interestingly, the louse found in a semi arid area, away from the natural habitat of elephants, where its existence in nature is very much a matter of debate. Finally, the morphology of the parasite, its feeding habit and its pathobiology are being described here in.