Chewing lice of wild birds from Portugal: neglected group of ectoparasites

Background: Chewing lice are permanent, obligate and host-specific ectoparasites commonly found on birds. Although chewing lice are relatively benign parasites, when present in large numbers they can cause changes in flight performance, thermoregulatory capacity, body mass and survival of the birds. According to BirdLife International approximately 310 species of birds occur in Portugal. However, the number of louse species documented is very limited. This study was carried out to determine chewing louse species of wild birds from Portugal. Methods: This study involves birds captured in mist-nets during the scientific ringing sessions and birds admitted at the Wildlife Rehabilitation and Investigation Centre of Ria Formosa. Chewing lice were collected using two methods: 1) visual search and collect for chewing lice in the plumage of each bird, during approximately 2 minutes; 2) fumigation chamber method, where birds are exposed to ethyl acetate for 15 minutes. Phthiraptera species were slide-mounted according to the Canada Balsam technique and identified. Results: Chewing lice were found on 43 (21.9%) of the 196 specimens of wild birds examined, independently of the method applied. One hundred and twenty-two birds were only visually examined, with 26 (21.3%) being parasitized. While for the fumigation method, 74 birds were examined, with 17 (22.9%) infested. Infested birds comprise 12 species and the chewing lice identified belong to suborders Amblycera (14 species) and Ischnocera (7 species).

Poster presentation, Session 2 – Animal Science and Production, Food Technology, Quality and Security – From farm to fork