Prevalence of Ectoparasites in Wild and Domesticated Grey (Francolinus pondicerianus) and Black Partridges (Francolinus francolinus) from Khyber Pakhtoonkhwa Province of Pakistan

Ectoparasites increase birds’ morbidity by sucking blood and causing irritation to them hence affect their economic production. In the current study comparative prevalence of ectoparasites was studied in domesticated and wild black (Francolinus francolinus) and grey partridges (Francolinus pondicerianus) from Khyber Pakhtoonkhwa province of Pakistan. Sixteen species of ectoparasites, including eight lice, four mite, three tick and one flea species, were collected from 88 out of 110 (80%) wild/domesticated black and grey partridges by using standard methods and identified by using taxonomic keys. 53 grey partridges (33 domesticated and 20 wild) were infested by seven lice species (Menopon gallinae, Goniocotes gall, Menacanthus stramineus, Genero columbicola, Lipeurus caponis, Brueelia coquimbana, Coculogaster heterographus), three species of ticks (Haemaphysalis leporispalustris, Ixodes pacificus, Amblyomma maculatum) 2 species of mites (Ornithonyssus syliarum, Dermanyssus gallinae) and a flea species (Pulex irritans). While 57 black partridges (35 domesticated and 22 wild) were infested by 7 species of lices (Coculogaster heterographus, Brueelia coquimbana, Menacanthus stramineus, Genero columbicola, Menopon gallinae, Lipeurus caponis, Goniodes gigas), four species of mites (Tyroglyphus spp., Dermanyssus gallinae, Ornithonyssus syliarum, Sternostoma tracheacolum), two species of ticks (Ixodes pacificus, Amblyomma americanum) and a flea specie (Pullex irritans).