Recording of Mite Ectoparasites Associated with House Crows (Corvus splendens) in Canal Cities, Egypt

Saleh, Ashraf M.; Anany, Abdel Moneim E.; Eldnasory, Mohamed A.; Aamer, Nahed K.

doi:10.21608/eajbsz.2025.461741

Recording of Mite Ectoparasites Associated with House Crows (Corvus splendens) in Canal Cities, Egypt

Document Type : Original Article

Authors

¹ Agricultural Zoology and Nematology Department, Faculty of Agriculture, Al-Azhar University, Cairo, Egypt.

² Department of Agricultural Zoology and Nematology faculty of Agriculture (Girls branch), Al-Azhar University, Cairo, Egypt

10.21608/eajbsz.2025.461741

Abstract

A survey was conducted in the three Canal cities of Suez, Ismailia, and Port Said to record the diversity of external animal parasites associated with crows. These birds occur in exceptionally high densities, particularly in Suez and Ismailia, raising significant public health and veterinary concerns. Crows harbour numerous acarine parasites that may be transmitted within residential areas such as restaurants, schools, homes, playgrounds, hospitals, and food storage facilities (grain and meat warehouses). In addition, their presence along the Suez Canal, on commercial ships, and in other transport settings facilitates the spread of these parasites across regions and countries. Crows also impose serious risks to poultry, cattle, and sheep farms, where they are considered important vectors of both external and internal parasites, especially acari. The results of the current study demonstrated that crows in these cities are infested with a wide variety of ectoparasites, primarily mites and ticks. In total, 24 species were collected, comprising four tick species and 20 mite species. These findings highlight the urgent need for further comprehensive studies on ectoparasites of both resident and migratory birds, given the current and future importance of this issue for animal health, human health, and biosecurity.

Keywords