ECTOPARASITE INFESTATION OF GOATS (CAPRA HIRCUS) IN NORTHERN IRAQ: PREVALENCE AND SPECIES IDENTIFICATION

Document Type : Research article

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Microbiology/Veterinary Medicine college/ Sulaimani University/ Iraq

Abstract

The study was carried out for eight months from May to December 2020 to identify the main ectoparasite species that infest goats; for this purpose, a total of 150 local goats (Capra hircus) were thoroughly examined for the investigation of ectoparasites from ten small ruminant flocks belonging to five districts of the Sulaymaniyah governorate in northern Iraq. The goats included in the study were determined for preimaginal and adult ectoparasite stages. The observed ectoparasites were collected and preserved separately in containers with 70% ethanol and then brought to the laboratory for identification. The ectoparasite collection was done from the following regions: the ear, shoulder, neck, back, flank, thigh, and groin region. The overall prevalence rate of ectoparasite infestation was 57.33% counting 86 animals. Three different types of ectoparasites including ticks (n = 42; 48.84%), lice (n = 37; 43.02%), and fleas (n = 7; 8.14%), were identified. The higher infestation rate was due to hard ticks (Ixodidae). The identified ticks belonged to five species and Rhipicephalus spp. were widely distributed with the highest reported numbers as follows: Rhipicephalus sanguinaus 14 (16.28%), R. turanicus 11 (12.79%), R. bursa 7 (8.14%), Rhipicephalus (Boophilus) annulatus 4 (4.65%), and Hyalomma anatolicum 6 (6.98%). Two species of lice belonging to sucking lice, Linognathus stenopsis 22 (25.58%) and chewing lice of Bovicola caprae 15 (17.44%), were reported. The only identified flea species from the study was Ctenocephalides canis which was reported in 7 (8.14%). Recognized ectoparasites affect the health status and productivity of goats.

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