Prevalence of Myrsidea salimalii (Amblycera: Phthiraptera) on striated babblers (Turdoides earlei) (Timaliidae: Passeriformes: Aves).

Survey of literature showed that the population characteristics of the phthirapterans parasitizing striated babblers deserved investigation. Hence, 30 birds were examined during 2007-2009 in district Rampur U.P. The prevalence of an amblyceran louse, Myrsidea salimalii on striated babblers was 40%. The mean intensity of infestation and the sample mean abundance were 33.5 and 13.4, respectively. The variance to mean ratio of the population exceeded unity (36.24). The frequency distribution pattern of the louse was aggregated but did not conform to the negative binomial model. Females outnumbered the males in natural condition (M:F-1:1.4) while the nymphal population had an edge over adult population (A:N-1:1.3).