MORPHOMETRY AND PARASITE DIVERSITY IN SPILOPELIA SENEGALENSIS (LINNAEUS, 1766) CAPTURED WITHIN UNIVERSITY OF IBADAN
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.19630326Keywords:
Avian morphometry, ectoparasites, gastrointestinal helminths, protozoa, pilopelia senegalensisAbstract
Laughing doves are widely known for their adaptability to urban and semi-urban environments. As-sessing parasite load in birds especially laughing dove is crucial for monitoring their overall as well as ecolog-ical health. The goal of this study was to determine morphometric parameters and diversity of parasites species in laughing doves, Spilopella senegalensis (Linnaeus, 1766) captured within University of Ibadan. Selected morphometric parameters were determined while ectoparasites and endoparasites [in blood, gastrointestinal tract (GIT)] and faeces respectively, were collected, using standard methods. Statistical significant difference between the morphometric parameters of male and female was noted in body length (p=0.037) and live weight (p=0.013). Most prevalent ectoparasite and haemoparasite observed in the sampled birds were Megninia sp. (60%) and Haemoproteus sp. (65%), respectively while Eimeria oocysts were observed to be most prevalent in the intestinal contents (90%) and faecal samples (25%). There is need for better wildlife health assessments to mollify risks associated with parasitic infections.
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