Chewing lice (Phthiraptera: Amblycera, Ischnocera) of some migratory waterfowl-ducks and geese in Kashmir province, JKUT, India

The chewing lice (Phthiraptera: Insecta) were examined for their rate of infestation on migratory waterfowl-ducks and geese (Anatidae: Anseriformes: Aves) in Kashmir region during the years 2015-2019. During the present study, two species of chewing lice have been found on winter migratory waterfowl-ducks and geese in various wetlands of Kashmir. The study of 93 dead winter migratory waterfowl-ducks and geese over a period of 5 years revealed that 47 birds were infested with one or other type of parasite with an overall prevalence rate of 50.53%. The ectoparasites reported during the present study includes Anaticola crassicornis and Trinoton anserinum with prevalence percentage respectively 22.58% and 27.95%. Among the two ectoparasites recovered from the different migratory waterfowl, Trinoton crassicornis was found to be most prevalent. During the study host wise, year wise, mean intensity and abundance of ectoparasites was also reported.