The College of Education for Pure Sciences, Department of Life Sciences, has conducted a master's thesis on "Surveying and Diagnosing Species of the Order Phthiraptera Parasitizing Some Species of Domestic Birds in Basra Governorate." The thesis, presented by researcher Zahraa Sakban Abdul Sahib, included a morphological and molecular diagnostic study of the biting lice parasitizing some domestic birds in Basra Governorate, along with a study of some aspects related to the infestation of domestic birds. Various areas in Basra Governorate were randomly selected, including Abu Al-Khasib, Al-Zubair, Al-Qurnah, Al-Madinah, Al-Tanuma, Al-Maqal, Al-Jama'iyyat, Al-Qibla, and Old Basra. The collection was conducted monthly, with 20 domestic chickens (Galus gallus domesticus) and 20 domestic pigeons (Colombia livia domestica), totaling 240 chickens and 240 pigeons. The study revealed the recording of three species parasitizing chickens: Menacanthus stramineus, Menacanthus cornutus, and Menapon gallinae. Three species were identified as parasitic to domestic pigeons: Columbicola columae, Campanulotes bidentatus, and Hohorstiella lata. Molecular identification of the species was also included, with four species identified through DNA extraction of the 18S rRNA gene and gene amplification using PCR. The results also revealed the effect of temperature and relative humidity on infection rates throughout the year. The overall infection rate in chickens was 45.42%, compared to 42.92% in domestic pigeons. The results also demonstrated a high level of host specialization, with triple infection being the most prevalent in chickens and pigeons
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