Cestodiasis in nomadic ducks: A study from the Cauvery delta, Tamil Nadu

Tamileniyan, E., Latchumikanthan, A., Thilagavathi, K. and Velusamy R. 2025. Cestodiasis in nomadic ducks: A study from the Cauvery delta, Tamil Nadu. Indian Journal of Poultry Science, 60(1): 103-107. Cestode infections pose a significant health concern in free-ranging and nomadic duck population, impacting both poultry health and poultry productivity. Over a six-months period, 12 deceased ducks from nomadic flocks were submitted to the Department of Veterinary Pathology, Veterinary College and Research Institute, Orathanadu, TANUVAS, for necropsy examination. Systematic necropsy revealed the presence of tapeworms in the intestines, which were collected and morphologically identified as Raillietina tetragona, Raillietina echinobothrida, Raillietina cesticillus, Amoebotaenia sphenoides, Choanotaenia infundibulum and Cotugnia digonopora. These tapeworms exhibited distinct morphological features, including armed rostellum, suckers in scolex and characteristic proglottids. The study highlights the occurence of cestodiasis in nomadic duck flocks and indicates the need for improved surveillance and control measures in free-ranging poultry systems.