PEDICULOSIS IN BLACK KITE (MILVUS MIGRANS): REPORT OF CONCURRENT ISCHNOCERAN AND AMBLYCERAN INFESTATION

E. Tamileniyan; M. Jeevitha; T. Yuvarani; G. Amrit; A. Latchumikanthan; M. Veeraselvam; R. Velusamy; K.K. Ponnu Swamy

doi:10.56093/ijvasr.v55i4.181137

Authors

E. Tamileniyan PG Scholar, Department of Veterinary Medicine, Veterinary College and Research Institute, TANUVAS, Namakkal - 637 002
M. Jeevitha PG Scholar, Department of Veterianary Medicine, Veterinary College and Research Institute, TANUVAS, Namakkal -637 002
T. Yuvarani PG Scholar, Department of Veterinary Medicine, Veterinary College and Research Institute, TANUVAS, Namakkal - 637 002
G. Amrit PG Scholar, Department of Veterinary Parasitology, Veterinary College and Research Institute, TANUVAS, Namakkal - 637 002
A. Latchumikanthan Assistant Professor, Department of Veterinary Parasitology, Veterinary College and Research Institute, TANUVAS, Namakkal - 637 002
M. Veeraselvam Assistant Professor, Department of Veterinary Medicine, Veterinary College of Research Institute, TANUVAS, Namakkal - 637 002
R. Velusamy Associate Professor and Head, Department of Veterinary Parasitology, Veterinary College and Research Institute, TANUVAS, Namakkal - 637 002
K.K. Ponnu Swamy Professor and Head, Department of Veterinary Medicine, Veterinary College and Research Institute, TANUVAS, Orathanadu - 614 625

https://doi.org/10.56093/ijvasr.v55i4.181137

Keywords:

Black kite, lice infestation, Laemobothrion maximum, Degeeriella fulva, Colpocephalum turbinatum

Abstract

A rescued black kite (Milvus migrans) presented to the Veterinary College and Research Institute, Orathanadu, Tamil Nadu, exhibited active ectoparasitic infestation predominantly over breast and contour feathers. Lice were manually collected and processed for morphological identification. Examination revealed three species: amblyceran louse Laemobothrion maximum, characterized by its large size (~12 mm), broad head and prominent preocular swellings; Degeeriella fulva, a slender ischnoceran louse (2.0–2.8 mm) with a distinct head structure, five-segmented antennae and narrow abdomen; and Colpocephalum turbinatum, a smaller amblyceran louse (1.8–2.5 mm) with a subtriangular head, four-segmented antennae and well-developed mandibles. Morphological features and morphometrics of lice were consistent with standard taxonomic descriptions. The concurrent presence of multiple lice species highlights the ecological diversity of ectoparasites in raptors and emphasizes the importance of detailed morphological identification in wildlife parasitology.

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