Ectoparasites: Tick Infestation

Most of the domesticated birds are susceptible to a wide range of ectoparasites like flies, fleas, lice, ticks, and mites. Ectoparasites besides causing direct injuries with skin-associated lesions, irritation, and anemia act as vectors with a significant impact on the transmission of a variety of pathogens. Among ectoparasites, ticks are notorious vectors and second in line next to mosquitoes and they belong to the suborder Ixodida within the order Parasitiformes. This suborder comprises three families: hard ticks (Ixodidae), soft ticks (Argasidae), and the monotypic family Nuttalliellidae; while the family Argasidae encompasses 198 species of “soft ticks” (without scutum). Argas persicus popularly known as ‘fowl tick’ parasitizes domestic poultry, including chickens, ducks, and geese, and is found throughout the dry climatic zones of the world. Heavy tick infestation may lead to anemia and eventually death. Additionally, they play a role in transmitting various parasitic, bacterial, and viral diseases including leucocytozoonosis, aegyptianellosis, pasteurellosis, avian encephalomyelitis, fowl spirochaetosis, and fowl cholera.