Lice infestation on Japanese quail (Coturnix coturnix japonica) Temminck & Schlegel 1849 in Sokoto metropolis, Nigeria

Abstract

Two hundred Japanese quails (Coturnix coturnix japonica) from different locations in Sokoto metropolis were collected and examined between October and November (2013) for ectoparasites. All the birds were dusted with Rambo® (Permenthrin 0.60%) powder for lice recovery. The recovered lice were then cleared with lactophenol overnight, before been examined under the light microscope (×40). Of the 200 quails examined, only 4 (2%) were infested with lice. The lice recovered were Menacanthus sp. 2%, Lipeurus sp. 2% and Gonoides sp. 0.5%. No other ectoparasite was found. Lice infestation constitutes the common ectoparasitism of Japanese quails in Sokoto metropolis and is a very low, with little or no observable harm.

Keywords: Lice, quail, Sokoto, metropolis, infestation.