63 A Survey of Intestinal Parasitic Infection Among Domestic Pigeons in Misurata, Libya Layla O. Elmajdoub and Kholoud A. Mshiheet Zoology Department, Faculty of Science, Misurata University, Misurata, Libya Abstract— The current study was conducted to detect the prevalence of parasitic infection among (38) domesticated pigeons (Columbia livia), while 4 pigeons are young and 34 are adults, with weights between 105 - 410g of all examined pigeons. The results revealed that 29 (76.3%) out of 38 examined pigeons were infected with intestinal parasites and the incidence rates were 2 (5.3%) in younger and 27 (71.1%) in adult pigeons. The highest rate of helminthic infection about (72.4%) following (48.3%) of infection with protozoa, while the mixed infection with helminths and protozoa around 20.7%. Furthermore, the nematodes (65.5%) were more infected in pigeons compare with cestodes (31%), also there were seen mixed infection with nematodes and cestodes together in the same pigeon. Capilliaria columbae and Ascaridia galli were nematodes and Raillietina cesticillus and Cotugnia digonophora were cestode could detect from the digestive tract of pigeons, also Eimeria oocyst was identified. From the parasitic fauna seen in this study and from the statistical analysis, there no any correlation and significant differences (P>0.05) between the weight of pigeon and the density of infection. Also, it is imperative to institute an integrated parasitic control of pigeons. Keywords: Columbia livia, internal parasites of pigeons and intestinal parasite INTRODUCTION The domestic pigeons, whose relation with traces back to ancient time, are cosmopolitan birds [1] and those of the order Columbiformes can be found in virtually every town and the city around the globe [2]. Also, they live side by side in nature and they are bred as a source of food as a hobby, symbol and for experimental aims [3]. Usually, the domestic pigeons (Columbia livia) are highly susceptible to infection with a large number of internal parasites and cause heavy economic losses in the form of related growth, decreased production,[4,5] . They feed on the wide range of food items including grains, slugs, earthworms and insects that in many instances may carry infective stages of intestinal parasites [6]. Although the prevalence and intensity of intestinal parasites from the previous studies in Egypt and Iraq between domestic pigeons were recoded various species of helminths and protozoa, demonstrated that the prevalence rate with cestoda in pigeons about 73% from Iraq[7], also [8], from Iran found 42.15% of pigeons were infected with one or more species of helminths. Moreover, Najwa et al. [9] from Egypt were found the prevalence rate of helminths from the digestive system of pigeons were 51.7%. Currently, the information on the endo-parasites of domesticated pigeons in different regions of Libya appears to be poorly documented, and no previous studies have been performed in relation to parasitic infections in pigeons from this work. The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence rates and species of intestinal parasites in domestic pigeons (Columbia livia) from the Misurata region in the north of Libya. MATERIALS AND METHODS The Third Symposium on Theories and Applications of Basic and Biosciences 3 September 2016 www.misuratau.edu.ly