Ectoparasites of Philippine Cockatoo Cacatua haematuropygia (Katala) at Rasa Island Wildlife Sanctuary, Narra, Palawan

Date

2022

Degree

Doctor of Veterinary Medicine

College

College of Veterinary Medicine (CVM)

Abstract

Philippine Cockatoo Cacatua haematuropygia (Katala) is a critically endangered bird endemic to the country. Aside from habitat loss and pet trade which caused the major decline of the species, Katala was also recorded suffering from lice and mite parasitism. Ectoparasites present on hatchlings of Philippine Cockatoo and in the nests at Rasa Island Wildlife Sanctuary, a major in situ conservation site for the species, were collected and identified. The ectoparasites that were collected belong to Class Arachnida and Class Insecta. It comprises of one species of louse and six species of mites. Ornithonyssus bursa (bird mite), Franciscoloa thompsoni (Mallophaga or chewing lice), Psittophagus feather mite, and an unidentified dust mite were found on the hatchlings while tortoise mite, unidentified mite, mesostigmatid mite, and the unidentified dust mite that was also found on the hatchling were collected in the nest substrates. Management and control of these ectoparasites include proper dosage and drug administration of parasiticide, application of the drug in the vent area to target O. bursa and using narrow-spectrum anti-parasitic drugs in controlling and killing the parasites, especially O. bursa, so the Philippine Cockatoo-specific species, F. thompsoni and Psittophagus feather mite, can still perform their possible commensalistic-mutualistic role on their host.

Language

English

Location

UPLB College of Veterinary Medicine (CVM)

Notes

Award for Best Undergraduate Thesis in Wildlife & Award for Best Undergraduate Thesis in Conservation Medicine

Document Type

Thesis

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