1 Corresponding author POPULATION DYNAMICS OF TWO PHTHIRAPTERAN ECTOPARASITES PIGEONS ( ) Columba liviagmelin S. K. SINGH AND N. MAURYA ABSTRACT a1 Population compositions of four phthirapteran ectoparasites infesting pigeons have been determined on 50 birds, at different levels of infestation. An average of 146.3 (n=50, range 18-963) C , 81.2 (n=42, range 4-297) have been encountered on the pigeons of Jaunpur. Adult hymph ratio remained equal in C . Nymphs out numbers the adults in case of The ratio of three nymphal instars has also been noted nearly in equal pattern Key words: olumbicola columbae Hoharstiella lata olumbicola columbae H. lata. Population composition, Phthirapteran Department of Zoology Kutir P.G.College Chakkey, Jaunpur, India E-mail: singhsanjaysanjaysingh@yahoo.co.in a wings was placed in plastic container (out side mouth adjustment) with tight fitting lid along with a large wad of cotton wool soaked with chloroform. After 30 min, birds was removed from chamber and suspended by a wire to feet (wings locked over back). A large polythene bag with a hold in bottom was pulled over the bird. The feathers were fluffed with hand and the polythene bag faced the lice to fall straight down on smooth white paper placed horizontally, about 3 inches below the head of birds. As much as 75% population of louse was obtained within 5 minutes. After removing the lice by fluffing each feather as well as skin was thoroughly searched for the presence of lice (with the help of magnifying torch), followed by bird releasing. The lice so obtained were placed in 70% alcohol. The entire population were sorted out, separated stage-wise and sex-wise under stereo zoom trinocular microscope. A total of 7,314 (adults and nymphs) were collected for 50 infested pigeons. Maximum number of C. columbae. Collected from any birds was 963 while minimum 18. Mean number of lice, per infested bird (lice index) remained 146.3 (range 18-963, n=50). Ten birds carried 1-50 lice (Mean 7.3 M, 7.4F, 13.4N;A:N 1:0.9; M:F 1:1.0); Fifteen birds placed in 51-100 lice category (20.9M, 22.7F, 38.0 N;A:N 1:0.9; M:F 1:1.1); eight in 101-150 lice category (mean 29.6 M, 32.4 F, 63.3 N; A:N 1:1.0; M:F 1:1.1); Five birds carried 151-200 lice (Mean 51.8 M 53.4 F, 119.2N; A:N 1:1:1; M:F 1:1.0); Four birds had 201-250 lice (Mean 39.5 M, 48.5 F, 144.8N; A:N 1 : 1:6; M:F 1:1.2) and lastly eight birds could be placed in Observation : Columbicola columbae Columbicola columbae Columbicola columbae Hohorstiella lata Columba livia Columbicola columbae Hohorstiella lata Information regarding the population levels and composition of Phthirapteran ectoparasitic insects affecting birds and mammals have, always attracted the parasitic entomologists. Only few workers have provided information on population composition of avian lice some workers have provided clues regarding the population level whey they were taking about the prevalence and intensity of different phthirapteran species. Poultry (Kalamarz, 1963), Cids (Eveligh and Therelfall 1976); Petrels (Fowler et al., 1984). An idea about the natural population on levels has also been given in the papers relating to seasonal variation in population of selected avian Phthiraptera (Foster, 1969, Singh et al., 2000 b and c) while recording the distribution of Pigeon lice, Nelson and Murray (1971) have also indicated the population levels of four species. However, Eveleigth and Threlfall (1976) and Darolova et al. (2001) have made specific studies on population on composition of avian Phthiraptera. In the present paper, an attempt has been made to furnish information on population composition of Phthirapteran species (viz. , ). Parasitizing the blue rock pigeon, genelin in Jaunpur district. Fifty pigeons were, searched to study population composition of two phthirapteran ectoparasites (viz., , ). Chloroform has been used to narcotize the lice parasitizing host birds. Each bird, well secured to prevent the loss of lice by fluffing the MATERIALS AND METHODS Indian J.Sci.Res.1(1) : 63-65, 2010 63