Haemoproteids (Haemosporida: Haemoproteidae) of Wild Birds in Bulgaria

Peter Shurulinkov ； Vassil Golemansky

《Acta Protozoologica》 41卷4期 (2002/12) Pp. 359-374

並列摘要

21 species of parasites of the genus Haemoproteus were found during the period 1999-2001 in the blood of 773 wild birds of 77 species (mostly passerines). Data on the morphology, size, their hosts, and the prevalence and intensity of invasion of each of these parasite species were gathered. The most commonly found parasite species were: H. belopolskyi, H. lanii, H. balmorali, and H. payevskyi. Two parasite species encountered very rarely in the Palearctic Zone: H. velans and H. caprimulgi, were also found. The prevalence of the invasion was especially high (up to 66.7%, n=30) in the case of H. lanii in the host genus Lanius (Laniidae). The total prevalence of the invasion of the birds studied was 18.5%. The highest prevalence found in the shrike family (Laniidae): 66.7% (n=30). A high rate was also found in the flycatcher family (Muscicapidae): 27.3% (n=33); the warbler family (Sylviidae): 22.8% (n=351); and the thrush family (Turdidae): 15.0% (n=81). The lowest rate was established in the sparrow family (Ploceidae): 3.45% (n=58). The highest rate of prevalence was found during spring, with a maximum in May (an average of 37.8%). Locally nesting migratory birds were more commonly invaded (a prevalence of 25.3%) than locally resident birds (5.8%). Spring migrants were also more frequently invaded (31.4%) than fall migrants (13.3%). Most invasions were of low intensity (between 1 and 10 parasites per 100 microscope fields at magnification 2000x). In only a few instances intensive invasions were observed; for example, in the host genus Lanius (Laniidae), between 200 and 330 parasites per 100 microscope fields were noted.

並列關鍵字

Haemosporidians ； Haemoproteus ； morphometry ； prevalence ； wild birds