First Record of Genus Goniodes Nitzsch, 1818 (Phthiraptera: Ischnocera: Philopteridae) on Peafowl (Galliformes: Phasianidae) from Pakistan

Aims: To examine and explore chewing lice (Phthiraptera) species found in Peafowls in Pakistan. To find out more species and compare these species with previously known species of chewing lice found on Peafowls.

Study Design: The genus Goniodes Nitzsch, 1818 is specifically found on gallinaceous hosts all over the world, represented by 100 species. It is very clearly identifiable for its circumfasciate head and somehow angulated temples of the head, antennae always heteromorphic; thorax and abdomen also very peculiar in its morphology, the abdominal segment I always larger and expanded laterally. Parasitological investigation of Peafowls was undertaken to find out the chewing lice infestation in Sindh, Pakistan.

Place and Duration of Study: Department of Zoology, University of Sindh, Jamshoro, Sindh, Pakistan. Between 2016 and 2017.

Methodology: Peafowl, Pavo cristatus L. 1758 was examined during the present study for chewing lice collection; chewing lice were processed for the permanent mount through the standard method and were studied under high magnification microscope for illustration and identification.

Results: During the examination of chewing lice, the genus Goniodes was recovered from Pavo cristatus for the first time from Sindh province, Pakistan. Out of 18 peafowls, seven were infested, contained 28 specimens of two species, G. dissimilis Denny 1842 and G. meinertzhageni Clay 1940 were isolated from Thatta, Karachi, Jamshoro, Hyderabad and Mirpur Khas districts of Sindh. Both species G. dissimilis and G. meinertzhageni were recorded first time from Pakistan, hence put on new record at country level for Indian Peafowl. A key for the identification of all Goniodes species found on the peafowl has also been presented along with their detailed morphological descriptions and morphometric features.

Conclusion: Two species of chewing lice of the genus Goniodes were collected and identified and were compared with each other to clarify their morpho-taxonomical characteristics in both species.