First report of Anatoecus dentatus in domestic duck ( Anas platyrhynchos domesticus , Linnaeus, 1978) from Southern India

Abstract

Parasitic infection is one of the prime causes for morbidity and mortality of ducks in India. Ducks have the habit of wading through the water resources especially paddy fields and feeding on snail which favours occurrence of various parasites. Among the parasites, lice infestation affects growth and productivity of ducks by way of irritation. Lice are well adapted as external parasites and usually are more a nuisance than a threat to their hosts. A nomadic farmer from Mannargudi area of Cauvery delta region of Tamil Nadu, India who had a flock of 1600 ducks reported continuous death of 700 ducks within a period of one month and brought a dead duck to Dept. of Veterinary Pathology for postmortem examination. Examination of entire body of duck prior to necropsy revealed the presence of live lice in the hairs around the junction of beak and head. About 7 lice specimens were collected and brought to Dept. of Veterinary Parasitology for identification. The lice specimens were processed and identified as Anatoecus dentatus based on the presence of ‘tin opener’ shaped effracter in the male genitalia. This is the first report of occurrence of these lice in ducks from Southern India.

Prevalence and Infestation of Ectoparasite in Dabung Ducks in Some Districts in Bangkalan Madura

“…Goniocotes hologaster lice could be found in ducks with a prevalence of 100%, the study is conducted on a sample of 20 ducks (Musa et al, 2012). According to research conducted by Narayanaperumal et al, (2016) in South Indian region, predilection of Anatoecus dentatus lice is found on the edges of beak and head of ducks. Menopon gallinae lice most commonly found on the ventral side, namely 37.13% and Anaticola sp, most commonly found on wings, namely 59.09% (Fatimatussyahro, 2012).…”

A systematic review and meta-analysis on the prevalence of infectious diseases of Duck: A world perspective

“…There are 33.51 million of ducks as per 20th livestock census against 23.53 million in 19th livestock census that shows a change of 42.36% which means that there is an increase in demand of duck and duck farming which further warrants the need for proper surveillance and monitoring of diseases affecting ducks thereby controlling them. Small, marginal farmers and nomadic tribes practice duck farming in India which is sometimes seasonal ( Jeyathilakan et al, 2016 ). Ducks play an important role in rural livelihood as they cater to sustained meat and egg production.…”