Morphological Redescription of Heterakis gallinarum in Chicks

Abstract

Parasitic nematodes are among the most common helminths affecting poultry and are responsible for reduced growth, poor feed utilization, and increased susceptibility to disease in chicks.Heterakis gallinarum is a common intestinal nematode of domestic and wild galliform birds and is of considerable, veterinary and parasitologically important. The present study was conducted to study the presence of H. gallinarum in farms of local area.It is based on the examine of morphological characteristics of nematodes recovered from caeca of infected chicks and to facilitate their identification using standard taxonomic features. Specimens are collected naturally from the infected chicks, cleaned, preserved and examined under light microscope. This observation is based on external and internal characteristics, including body shape, body size, body length and width, posterior and anterior ends and reproductive organs. Morphometric measurements were recorded and compared with previously published descriptions to confirm the taxonomic identity of the parasite. The study provides updated morphological observations and morphometric data that contribute to the accurate identification and characterization of H. gallinarum .The findings contribute to a better understanding of nematodes diversity in poultry and may assist in developing effective control and management strategies to improve poultry health and productivity.