Diversity of Chewing Lice on Swamphen Birds ( <i>Porphyrio porphyrio</i> ) in Al-Diwaniyah City, Iraq

Introduction: Chewing lice are common bird ectoparasites and can have substantial impacts on their host’s health, behavior, and ecology. The swamphen (Porphyrio porphyrio) is a wetland bird species in Iraq, but data on the chewing lice infesting these birds are lacking; thus, this study was conducted to identify and morphologically characterize the chewing lice infesting P. porphyrio in Al-Diwaniyah city, Iraq. Methods: Seventy-eight birds (35 males and 43 females) were examined for chewing lice using standard parasitological techniques. Lice samples were collected, identified using a taxonomic key, and the distribution patterns and infestation rates among hosts were analyzed. Results: The prevalence of infestation was 62.82%. Five species of lice were described, Incidifrons fulicae, Rallicola porphyrioides, Fulicoffula gallinulae, Ardeicola sp., and Pseudomenopon pilosum. Infestation prevalence was higher in females (65.11%) than in males (60%), which may be attributed to physiological and behavioral factors, such as incubation and hormonal activity, Pattern infestations were observed with single-species infestation in 24 birds, double-species infestation in 18 birds, and triple infestation in 7 birds, suggesting a complex host–parasite relationship. Conclusion: The present study documents chewing lice infesting P. porphyrio birds in Al-Diwaniyah city wetlands and emphasizes the ecological and health importance of these infestations. Periodic surveillance of avian ectoparasites in ecologically sensitive wetlands is advocated to provide broader insights into their significance for biodiversity conservation and the management of bird health.