Diversity of gastrointestinal parasites in captive and domestic birds from zoological parks and one rural locality of Algeria

Abstract

Received 12.04.2019; accepted 29.08.2019; published online 20.09.2019 Microscopic examination of 84 fresh fecal samples of 11 different species of birds from three zoological parks and one rural locality from Algiers and the Setif province (central-eastern of Algeria) indicated an overall prevalence of gastro-intestinal parasites 19% (16/84). Overall, genera of Cryptosporidium Tyzzer, 1907, Eimeria Schneider, 1875, Capillaria Zeder, 1800, and larvae of strongyles type were recorded with prevalence of 6%, 4.8%, 3.6%, and 4.8% respectively. Protozoa of Cryptosporidium was found only in ostrich (31.2%), whereas, Eimeria spp. was observed in pigeons (40%), hens (20%) and ring-necked pheasants (14.3%). Larvae of strongyles were recorded in mallards (11.1%), emus (14.3%) and peacocks (9.1%), whereas, eggs of Capillaria was detected only in peacocks (27.3%). No mixed infection was recorded in infected birds. Parasite fauna infecting the digestive tract of birds from Algerian zoological parks is a little diversified. Further studies should be carried out to better show the diversity of gastro-intestinal parasites of wild and domestic birds in Algeria across exhaustive studies covering many regions.