Blood parasites of some birds from West Bengal, India.

TLDR: Prevalence of blood parasites in 128 birds was observed out of a total of 418 birds belonging to 77 species and subspecies surveyed during the year 1974-1977 from Calcutta, Nadia, Sagar Island and Darjeeling of West Bengal.

Abstract: Prevalence of blood parasites in 128 birds (30.8%) of 23 species was observed out of a total of 418 birds belonging to 77 species and subspecies surveyed during the year 1974-1977 from Calcutta, Nadia, Sagar Island and Darjeeling of West Bengal. Infections with Haemoproteus (in 116 birds (27.7%) of 17 species), Plasmodium (in 15 birds (3.5%) of 8 species), Trypanosoma (in 6 birds (1.4%) of 4 species), Lankesterella (in 4 birds (0.9%) of 3 species) and microfilaria (in 23 birds (5.5%) of 11 species) were encountered. Double and multiple infections were quite common. Ten species of Haemoproteus viz., H. bennetti, H. eolumba'e, H. danilewskii, H. dieruri, H. /ringiliae, H. garnhami. H. o ryzivo rae, H. pastoris, H. syrnii and H. lhereicerycis; 3 species of Plasmodium viz., P. relic/um, P. cirellm!lexum and P. nucleophilum; 1 species and 1 subspecies of Trypanosoma vjz. T. avium and T. avium bake'; have been recorded. Some protozoan parasites and larval nematodes are yet to be specifically determined. Occurrence of blood parasites was greatest at Nadia. The infections of Haemoproteus was predominant. Ploeeus philippinus sampled exclusively at Nadia was accounted for 51.5% of infected birds. Haemoproteus syrnii, Plasmodium cireumflexum and P. nucleophilum are reported herein for the first time from India. New host-parasite records are indicated by asterisks(*).