UTTAR PRADESH JOURNAL OF ZOOLOGY

Intestinal cestodes of the genus Raillietina are important gastrointestinal parasites of domestic poultry, particularly in free-range and backyard production systems. Tehsil-level information on Raillietina cesticillus and Raillietina echinobothrida infection in domestic fowl from Ahilyanagar district, Maharashtra, remains limited. The present study assessed the prevalence, intensity and seasonal distribution of these cestode parasites in domestic fowl (Gallus gallus domesticus) from Kopargaon and Shrirampur tehsils. A total of 240 domestic fowl, comprising 120 birds from each tehsil, were examined between March 2024 and March 2025. Intestinal samples were collected from slaughter points and weekly live-bird markets, and recovered cestodes were processed, stained and identified using standard morphometric and scolex-morphology criteria. Overall cestode prevalence was 68.3% (164/240). R. cesticillus was recorded in 52.5% of examined birds, whereas R. echinobothrida was recorded in 39.2%; mixed infection was observed in 23.3% of birds. Kopargaon showed a higher overall prevalence (71.7%) than Shrirampur (65.0%). Seasonal analysis indicated the highest prevalence during the monsoon season (82.5%) and the lowest prevalence during summer (55.0%). The findings provide baseline tehsil-level data on poultry cestodosis in the study area and indicate the need for strategic parasite-control measures and improved management practices in rural poultry systems.