Microscopic study on some of the parasites that affect rock pigeon (columba livia gmelin, 1789) (aves: columbidae) in Qena, Egypt

The study was conducted to identify some different helminth parasites infecting Rock pigeons in Qena province. The gastro-intestinal tracts of 32 specimens of pigeon (Columba livia) were dissected parasitologically for detect helminthes infection. Of these, 11 (34.3%) were infected by 3 species of helminths, comprising 2 species of cestodes and one species of common nematodes Ascaridia columbae 8 (25%), The infection with cestode species was 5(15%) in the two families Dilepididae Dilepis undula Schrank,1788; and Anoplocephalidae Atriotaenia minuta n. spp. The topographic ultrastructure of the present specimens has documented new clear specific structures, particularly those of taxonomic importance of pigeon helminthes parasite species including the tegument of two cestodes were found to be entirely covered lined by posteriorly directed filamentous microtriches, interspersed with few short blade-like microtriches, cavities and vesicules around genital opening., the arrangement and number of caudal papillae, lateral alae, dentigerous ridges or continuous cuticular plate cover on the inner surface of each lip., the outer cuticular surface of the lips is unwrinkled, one doubled papillae, the amphidial surface is provided with several pores in addition to the presence of numerous small scattered, scale like caudal sexual sessile papillae in the posterior extremity of male and bosses around female anus of the present nematode Ascaridia columbae .