On the gastro‐intestinal helminth parasites of guinea fowl (Numida meleagridis galeata, Pallas) in Ibadan

Abstract

SummaryA survey of gastro‐intestinal helminth parasites of grey‐breasted helmet guinea fowl (Numida meleagridis galeata Pallas) was carried out between April and September 1979. Faecal samples were collected and examined for helminth eggs and/or oocysts. Heterakis sp., Capillaria sp., Dispharynx (Acuria) sp., Prosto‐gonimus sp., Hymenolepsis sp. and oocysts of Eimeria sp. were identified from guinea fowl. Heterakis sp. were the most prevalent. Mixed infections occurred in 73.8% of the infected birds. A point prevalence rate of 67.4% was recorded with varying degrees of clinical infection. The potentials of the grey‐breasted helmet guinea fowl acting as a disseminator of these parasites to chickens or vice‐versa is highlighted and the need for pre‐market treatment as a means of improving the survival rate and market value of this game bird is recommended.RÉSUMEÉOn a entrepris entre avril et Septembre 1979 un contrǒle des helminthes gastrointestinaux parasites de la pintade commune (Numida meleagridis galeata, Pallas). Des échantillons de déjections furent collectés et examinés pour trouver des oeufs et/ou des oocystes. On a identifié chez la pintade: Heterakis sp., Capillaria sp., Dispharynx sp., Prostogonimus sp., Hymenolepsis sp., et des oocystes de Eimeria sp. I1 y a une nette prévalence de Heterakis sp. On a trouvé des infections mixtes chez 73.8% des oiseaux parasités. On a relevé un taux de prévalence de 67.4% associéà divers degrés d'infection clinique. Le rǒ1e potentiel de cette pintade comme vecteur de parasites vers les poussins et vice‐versa est mis en évidence; la nécessité d'un traitement des animaux avant de les mettre sur le marché est recommendé comme moyen d'améliorer leur survie et leur valeur marchande.

Survey of parasites of the blue-billed malimbe <i>Malimbus nitens</i> (Gray)

“…The differences in parasite intensities and prevalences among adult and sub-adult blue-billed malimbus conforms with the observations previously reported by Fabiyi (1972) and Fatunbi and Olufemi (1982) on the guinea fowl in Nigeria. The almost identical prevalences of infections of both sexes will indicate similar exposure and susceptibility to infection.…”

“…In general the prevalence of the parasites were relatively lower than those reported in Brazil (Figueiroa Lyra de Freitas et al, 2002), Ethiopia (Davis 1972), Nigeria (Fabiyi 1972, Fatunbi & Olufemi 1982 and U.S.A. (Courtney and Forrester 1974). This could be attributed to ecological differences occurring in the various countries and the disposition of the different species of birds studies to parasitic infection.…”

A check list of the helminths of guineafowls (Numididae) and a host list of these parasites

“…The economic importance of guineafowls and domestic fowls within the poultry industry, as well as the fact that domestic fowls are kept by many private households to augment their income, necessitated a better understanding of factors, such as gastro-intestinal parasites, influencing the success-ful rearing of these birds. Consequently studies have been conducted to assess the extent to which guineafowls and domestic fowls can serve as alternative hosts for their respective helminths and possibly be adversely affected by them (Hodasi 1969(Hodasi , 1976Fabiyi 1972;Fatunmbi & Olufemi 1982;Vercruysse, Harris, Bray, Nagalo, Pangui & Gibson 1985).…”