RAILLIETINA ECHINOBOTHRIDA (MEGNIN,1881) (CESTODA: CYCLOPHYLLIDEA) FROM THE HOUSE SPARROW PASSER DOMESTICUS BIBLICUS HARTRET, 1881 COLLECTED IN BAGHDAD CITY, CENTRAL IRAQ
The widespread house sparrow Passer domesticus biblicus has a close association with humans and inhabits almost all ecosystems near human settlements in Iraq. It is exposed to different kinds of parasites in its habitats. Examining of house sparrow for the cestode parasites revealed that 25 specimens of 56 were infected with Raillietina echinobothrida. Intensity among infected male and female hosts with this cestode and its description is provided and discussed. The present finding constitutes the first record for this parasite in house sparrow in Iraq.
