A total of 60 pigeon, Columba livia (25 males and 35 females) were examined to observe helminth parasite infection. All the birds were found to be infected by eleven species of helminth parasites: four species of trematoda: Echinostoma revolutum (15%) E. trivolvus (5%), Patagifer bilobus (5%), Ehinoparyphium recurvatum (8.33%); six species of cestoda: Hymenolepis columbae (63.33%), Raillietina echinobothrida (100%), R. bonini (43.33%), R. cesticillus (100%), Cotugnia celebesensis (68.33%), C. cuneata (100%); and one species of nematoda: Ascaridia columbae (28.33%). Females showed slightly higher intensity of infestation than the males. Trematode parasites were found in intestine and rectum, cestode parasites were found in duodenum and intestine, nematode parasite Ascaridia columbae was found in caeca. Oesophagus, crop, proventriculus, gizzard, gallbladder, liver, kidney and muscles were free of parasites. Considering among seasons highest intensity of infection was found in autumn.

Thirty six domestic ducks (Anas platyrhynchos) were examined to observe the occurrence of ecto and endoparasites. Altogether seven species of ectoparasites namely Anaticola crassicornis, Lipeurus caponis, Goniocotes hologaster, Menopon gallinae, Menacanthus stramineus, Holomenopon leucpxanthum and Dermanyssus gallinae were observed and identified. L. caponis showed the highest prevalence both in male and female (100%). Mean intensity of A. crassicornis in female ducks was the highest (14.5 ± 2.36) followed by L. caponis (12.5 ± 3.21). The lowest mean intensity was of G. hologaster (2.5 ± 1.41) in male ducks. Prevalence of D. gallinae was higher in male (62.5%) than in female (40%). The maximum percentage of ectoparasites was recovered from wing feather (38.62) followed by trunk (23.85) and skin (23.44). Among the endoparasites, the occurrence of cestodes (77.78%) was the highest with the topmost intensity (51.43 ± 4.88). The highest prevalence was of Hymenolepis columbae and Hymenolepis diminuta (60%). Echinoparyphium recurvatum, Echinostoma revolutum and Tracheohilus sisowi showed the similar prevalence (30%) in male ducks. Patagifer bilobus showed the peak mean intensity in both the male and female ducks. Only one species of nematode, Ascaridia galli was recovered. The maximum endohelminths were found in the small intestine (48.30%) followed by duodenum (31.36%) and rectum (15.32%). Bangladesh J. Zool. 47(2): 315-323, 2019

Heavy metal pollution was reported in commercially valuable and edible pigeon (Columba livia, Gmelin 1789) of Bangladesh. The concentrations of As, Pb, Cd, Cr, Zn, and Cu were investigated in the muscle, intestine, kidney, gizzard and liver. For this 60 C. livia were selected from five locations to assess the degree of pollution by heavy metals in pigeon. Significant differences in heavy metal concentrations were observed among different tissues, but not among the locations. The ranges of the measured concentrations (µg/g dry weight) in the tissues of C. livia (1.19-34.42) and (26.09-43.60) in the muscle, intestine, kidney, gizzard, and liver, respectively. This research showed that the liver appeared to be the main storage site of heavy metals, while the muscle had the lowest levels of the analyzed metals. The concentrations of metal in the muscles were not found to exceed the acceptable level for human consumption.

Investigations on Snapper fish of the genus Lutjanus were conducted from October 2015 to April 2016 in the coral ecosystem of St. Martin's Island, Bangladesh. Twenty one individuals of 8 species of Lutjanus were collected from local fishermen. Both morphological characters and DNA barcoding approach by mitochondrial cytochrome oxidase I subunit (COI) were used to confirm the identification of all species. Present study recorded the first national occurrence of two reef associated Lutjanus species (L. xanthopinnis and L. indicus). In addition six species (L. rivulatus, L. lutjanus, L. vitta, L. lemniscatus, L. fulviflamma and L. johnii) were re-described. Distinct morphological differentiation were found between more closely related species L. xanthopinnis, L. vitta and L. lutjanus. Three different appearances of L. johnii, two different appearances of L. rivulatus and L. lemniscatus were confirmed as same species. Phylogenetic analysis showed monophylotic clade for conspecific individuals and paraphyletic clade for congeneric individuals. Average genetic divergence for intraspecific level was 1.5% and 12.5% for interspecific level. Current study increased the number of Lutjanus species in Bangladesh from 15 to 17 and extended the distribution range of those new recorded species in northeastern part of the Bay of Bengal.

The present study was conducted to find out the prevalence of Strongyloidesstercoralisin three slum areas of Dhaka, Bangladesh. Overall prevalence of S. stercoralis incollected samples was found to be 14.68%. Other enteric parasites detected in the stoolwere Ascarislumbricoides (16.08%), Trichuristrichura (8.39%) and Enterobiusvermicularis (5.59%). Male respondents showed higher prevalence (16.66%) of S.stercoralis infection compared to female (11.32%). Age group of 41-50 years showed thehighest prevalence (44.44%) compared to other age groups. Highest infestation rate wasobserved in labors (22.22%). Mud floor house dweller showed higher prevalence ofinfestation (18.66%) compared to those in cement floor. Prevalence of S. stercoralis washighest (20.77%) in community latrine users. Supplied drinking water users also showedthe higher infection rate (15.84%). Bare footed respondents showed infection rate ofabout 16.66%, whereas 11.86% was noted in those who use shoes. Asiat. Soc. Bangladesh, Sci. 41(1): 45-50, June 2015