OCCURRENCE OF HETERODOXUS SPINIGER (INSECTA: PHTHIRAPTERA: AMBLYCERA: BOOPIDAE) ON THE DOGS OF ODISHA

1. Estuarine Biology Regional Centre, ZSI, Gopalpur, Ganjam Odisha India. 2. Chhatrapati Shahu Ji Maharaj University, Kanpur, India. 3. Govt. Raza P.G. College, Rampur U.P. India. ...................................................................................................................... Manuscript Info Abstract ......................... ........................................................................ Manuscript History Received: 10 February 2020 Final Accepted: 12 March 2020 Published: April 2020

Out of the two species of biting lice known to parasitize the dog, Canis familiaris, one species, Heterodoxus spiniger (Enderlein, 1909) has been collected for first time from aforesaid host in Ganjam district of Odisha. All the collected specimens contained red contents compatible with host blood in their crops. The morphological features of H. spiniger have been noted with the help of LM as well as SEM.

Material and Methods:-
The louse load of four adult dogs and six puppies were screened with a fine tooth comb for ectoparasites with the aid of hand lens fitted with circular light. Samples were collected and transferred to 70% alcohol. On a later date, entire louse load was separated stage wise and sex wise under stereozoom trinocular microscope. For light microscopic study, specimens were macerated with 10 % KOH, washed with distilled water, treated with acidic ISSN: 2320-5407 Int. J. Adv. Res. 8(04), 435-438 436 acid, dehydrated in ethanol series, cleared in Xylene and mounted as described by Price and Graham, 1997. For SEM study, specimens were fixed in 2.5 % Gluteraldehyde, post fixed in 0.25M Phosphate buffer, critically dried, arranged on metal stub, covered with double sided cello tape, gold coated in Neo Coater 100-240V and examined under JCM-6000 Scanning Electron Microscope. The Margin of head is sub-triangular considerably thickened and chitinized. The mandibles are strongly chitinized, notched, sickle shaped ending with denticles and partly overlapping. The clypeus is separated from the remaining part of the head by an undulating suture. The thorax is longer and narrower than the head. The prothorax and pterothorax are similar in width but the latter is slightly longer than prothorax. Prosternum bear 01 setae and metasternum bear two setae respectively. The I st pair of legs is reduced. The setae are arranged in a row like comb on the legs. All claws are thin and short. The abdomen is composed of IX segments. The setae on abdominal segments II-IX as follows-tergal-II-10-14, sternal-4-7 and pleural-0; III-tergal-10-15, sternal-10-16 and pleural-4; IV tergal-14-17, sternal-12-21 and pleural-4-6; V -14-21, sternal-17-21 and pleural-3-6; VI tergal-11-23, sternal-17-23 and pleural-6; VII-tergal-11-21, sternal-23-27 and pleural-8; VIII tergal-10-14, sternal-12-17 and pleural-7; IXtergal-8-10, sternal-12-16 and pleural-6.

Result and Discussion
The posterior end of the abdomen is hollow and there are no setae. The abdomen of female has almost all sternites rectangular with the exception of trapezium like VIIIth. The surroundings of the spiracles, in abdominal region are always lighter than the rest of the body. Female genitalia are broadly rounded at the terminal end of abdomen. Genital papilla clearly rounded in the last abdominal segment. Vulval margin nearly straight, smooth and membranous with 7-10 marginal setae on each side.

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Morphological characteristics of the specimens collected from the dogs, Canis familiaris Linn. 1758 district Ganjam of Odisha resemble to description given by Keler, 1971 andEmerson andPrice, 1975 except minor differences in setal counts and body measurements. Like other members of the Boopidae, Mjoberg, 1910, the ventral side of the head of louse is characterized with the presence of a pair of post palpal spine growing immediately behind the maxillary palps. Aforesaid process might help the louse in abrashing skin to make blood pool, to imbibe the blood. All the specimens of H. spiniger (Enderlein, 1909) collected during the present study contained red contents compatible with host blood in their crops. It may be noted that the haematophagus nature of certain amblyceran Phthiraptera is a great concern to parasitologist/Veterinarian. They do not only affect the health productivity and behavior of their hosts but may also act as reservoir and transmitter of infectious disease (Price and Graham, 1997 (Enderlein, 1909) in Odisha deserves further investigation (population level) to make the public pet owner aware of potential transmission of zoonotic parasites.

Acknowledgements:-
A deep sense of gratitude is expressed to the Director of Zoological Survey of India, Kolkata for providing opportunity and facilities for the execution of this work. Thanks are also expressed to the Officer-In-Charge, Dr. Anil Mohapatra Scientist 'D' for extending his valuable and affectionate guidance, for suggesting the problem and providing all kinds of facilities.