New record of visceral and subcutaneous mites (Acari : Hypoderatidae)‎ Hypodectes propus in little egret Egretta garzetta and night heron Nycticorax nycticorax in Thi-Qar governorate-south of Iraq

Abstract EN

A total of 109 adult Little Egret Egretta garzetta and Night Heron Nycticorax nycticorax were examined.

The birds were collected from Al-Sanaf marsh in Thi-Qar governorate-South of Iraq during the period from the beginning of November 2012 till the end of August 2013.

Twenty one (19.26%) of the birds were infected with white cyst-like structures 0.72-1.92 mm (1.35) in length, 0.28-0.52 mm (0.41) in width found within the loose connective tissues of the (peritracheal connective tissues, pericardial sacs, serosa of the esophagus, skeletal muscles, the muscle bundles of neck, chest and abdomen).

Many of these structures were isolated from the subcutaneous adipose tissue of the pectoral musculature and along the sides of the body.

These mites were identified as hypopi of Hypodectes propus Nitzch in Giebel, 1861 which are recorded for the first time in Iraq.