International Journal of Science and Research (IJSR) ISSN: 2319-7064 ResearchGate Impact Factor (2018): 0.28 | SJIF (2018): 7.426 Volume 8 Issue 12, December 2019 www.ijsr.net Licensed Under Creative Commons Attribution CC BY Fine Structure of Anoplura Lice (Linognathus) Infected Goats by Scanning Electron Microscope Souad M. Alsaqabi .Qassim University, College of Science and Arts in Unizah, Biology Department Abstract: The study present the sucking lice (Anoplura) that affects local farm animals (goats) in the Eastern Province of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (Al-Ahsa). The study recorded the classification of the lice, and its description using optical microscope and scanning electron microscope. The study clarified the exact composition of the species (Linognathusafricanus, Kellogg and Paine, 1911), the shape of the head sack, and the distribution of body bristles. Italso showed the shape of the sensory antennae, shape of the leg claws and the structure of the reproductive system (genitalia). Keywords: Linognathusafricanus lice, Anoplura, goats, Saudi Arabia, SEM 1. Introduction Liceisone of the harmful pests in humans and animals, it transmits viral and bacterial diseases and roams the bodies of animals, where it bites the hair and wool of animals that tend to scratch their bodies and rub them against walls, lead- ing to skin ulcers that reduce the skin’s commercial value. The infected animal remains in an abnormal state, where it cannot sleep or feed, leading to loss of weight and general weakness, and thus lower milk production rate. Lice live as external parasite on humans and mammals, sucking their blood and causing them skin inflammation, rash and severe irritation. It is sometimes a medium for the transmission of pathogens for some malignant diseases (Durden and Lloyd, 2009).). Some species of Linognathus have significant veterinarian importance, such as the external parasites of pets or lives- tock animals, which under certain circumstances can lead to itching, irritation, and especially anemia, allergic reaction and weight loss, in addition, some species may transfer pa- thogens (Durden and Lloyd, 2009). This species intrudes on local mammals, such as canine sucking lice, Linognathusse- tosus (von Olfers), sheep lice, Linowathusovillus (Neu- mann), Linognathuspedalis (Osborn), goat lice, Linogna- thusstenopsis (Burmeister), cattle lice, Linognathusvituli (Linnaeous) and goats and sheep lice Linognathusafrica- nus(Kellogg (Rice and Graham، 1997 ؛Durden and Lloyd، 2009)). The adverse effects of lice on wild mammals have been poorly recorded by (Durden ، 2001), but, assumably, some species may negatively affect their hosts under certain circumstances or they can transmit pathogens. Most of the described Linognathus species are found in antelopes, deer, giraffes, wilder beast and buffalo ((Weisser, 1975; Durden and Musser, 1994; Pajot, 2000; Durden and Horak, 2004)). Due to the importance of lice, a group of scientists studied its species, description, and classification. Where (Lyal, 1980) mentioned the most important of the sucking lice spe- cies and their hosts found in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia until March 1980. Eight species were mentioned, six of which were not previously known in the Kingdom. Two species of lice were isolated on sheep in a study conducted by(Kumar, et. al., 1994) in India, which are Bovicolacaprae and Linognathusafricanus, which he collected from 1048 heads (sheep), where the general health condition of the hosts was weak, leading to the fall of the sheep wool. In North Sinai, during a study on 204 sheep, (Mazyad and Helmy, 2001) found lice infection, the majority was with Bivicolacaprae, followed by Linognathusafricanus, then L. stenopsis. They also recorded mixed infection in a single host. (El-Baky,2001) conducted a study in Egypt (Eastern Desert), where he found two species of sucking lice in sheep and goats, Bovicolacaprae and Bovicolaovis and two species of biting lice in sheep, Linognathusafricanus and Linog- nathusstenopsis. In South Africa, (Sebei, et. al., 2004) stud- ied them with the Scanning Electron Microscope, which contributed to defining parasitic lice in goats. Of the species that were defined in that are: Linognathusafricanus, Bovico- lacaprae and Bovicolalimbatus. (Durden and Horak, 2004) described the lice species Linognathusweisseri n. sp. which was collected from South Africa. It is important to record the types of external parasites, in order to increase knowledge of the parasite biodiversity, and because external parasites can have a harmful effect on their hosts through the blood feed- ing behaviors that can sometimes lead to the transmission of diseases. In this research, we describe a species of Linog- nathus found in the Eastern Province of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, which was collected from the goats living in Al Ahsa region. The aim of the research is to conduct a de- scriptive study of the Linognathus species of lice that affects farm animals (goats) using the Scanning Electron Micro- scope, in order to add information about this parasite to the list on the morphologic description of this species in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. 2. Materials and Methods This study was conducted to classify and describe a species of lice affecting farm animals in the Eastern Province of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabiain 2018. A sample of 20 lice were collected from local animals (goats, Capra hircus) from various farms in the Eastern Province (Al Ahsa) using a ran- dom sample, of which 4 females and 2 males were used in imaging using the Electron Microscope. The lice was col- lected from 12 goats, where lice can easily be seen with the naked eye when the hair is separated (Zumpt 1970) through cutting it in the infected animals, checking the areas of the neck, behind the ears, tail, back and thighs. This lice was collected using a forceps, it was exposed to 70% con- centration alcohol and then kept in 70% concentration alco- hol. Samples fixed on permanent slides were examined un- Paper ID: ART20203733 DOI: 10.21275/ART20203733 1868