First report of trichodectes melis (phthiraptera, trichodectidae) from the eurasian badger meles canescens (carnivora, mustelidae) in turkey

Abstract

The study was performed to first report Trichodectes melis in Turkey. Research material was obtained from one female Eurasian badger brought to the Kafkas University, Wildlife Conservation, Recovery, Rehabilitation Research and Application Center. The badger was examined for the presence of ectoparasites. The lice specimens were preserved in a vial containing 70% ethanol, cleared in lactophenol for a few days, mounted on slides in the Canada balsam medium and examined under a microscope. All of specimens diagnosed as T. melis is the first record for ectoparasite fauna of Turkey.

Keywords

• trichodectes melis
• ischnocera
• meles canescens
• turkey