The leucocytozoidae of south african birds: falconiformes and strigiformes
TL;DR: The leucocytozoids of the raptors are reviewed and Leucocy tozoon toddi of the Falconiformes and LeukocytoZoon ziemanni of the Strigiformes are re-described; Leucocrytozoon beaurepairei ofThe Sagittaridae is resurrected from synonymy.
Abstract: Summary Bennett, G. F., Earle, R. A. & Peirce, M. A. 1993. The Leucocytozoidae of South African birds: The Falconiformes and Strigiformes. Ostrich 64: 67–72. The leucocytozoids of the raptors are reviewed and Leucocytozoon toddi of the Falconiformes and Leucocytozoon ziemanni of the Strigiformes are re-described; Leucocytozoon beaurepairei of the Sagittaridae is resurrected from synonymy.
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TL;DR: It is stressed that the best way to avoid emergent and reemergent diseases is through a program encompassing ecological restoration, environmental education, and enhanced understanding of the value of ecosystem services.
Abstract: Haemosporida is a large group of vector-borne intracellular parasites that infect amphibians, reptiles, birds, and mammals. This group includes the different malaria parasites (Plasmodium spp.) that infect humans around the world. Our knowledge on the full life cycle of these parasites is most complete for those parasites that infect humans and, to some extent, birds. However, our current knowledge on haemosporidian life cycles is characterized by a paucity of information concerning the vector species responsible for their transmission among vertebrates. Moreover, our taxonomic and systematic knowledge of haemosporidians is far from complete, in particular because of insufficient sampling in wild vertebrates and in tropical regions. Detailed experimental studies to identify avian haemosporidian vectors are uncommon, with only a few published during the last 25 years. As such, little knowledge has accumulated on haemosporidian life cycles during the last three decades, hindering progress in ecology, evolution, and systematic studies of these avian parasites. Nonetheless, recently developed molecular tools have facilitated advances in haemosporidian research. DNA can now be extracted from vectors' blood meals and the vertebrate host identified; if the blood meal is infected by haemosporidians, the parasite's genetic lineage can also be identified. While this molecular tool should help to identify putative vector species, detailed experimental studies on vector competence are still needed. Furthermore, molecular tools have helped to refine our knowledge on Haemosporida taxonomy and systematics. Herein we review studies conducted on Diptera vectors transmitting avian haemosporidians from the late 1800s to the present. We also review work on Haemosporida taxonomy and systematics since the first application of molecular techniques and provide recommendations and suggest future research directions. Because human encroachment on natural environments brings human populations into contact with novel parasite sources, we stress that the best way to avoid emergent and reemergent diseases is through a program encompassing ecological restoration, environmental education, and enhanced understanding of the value of ecosystem services.
279 citations
TL;DR: The valid avian species of the apicomplexan blood parasite genera Haemoproteus, Hepatozoon and Leucocytozoon are arranged according to host family, assuming host familial specificity.
Abstract: The valid avian species of the apicomplexan blood parasite genera Haemoproteus, Hepatozoon and Leucocytozoon are arranged according to host family, assuming host familial specificity; salient points of the parasite morphology are recorded where appropriate.
64 citations
Journal Article•
TL;DR: Differences in the prevalence of blood parasites were found in the seasons and age classes of the birds but not between birds admitted to a rehabilitation centre or samples in the wild, the sexes, bird orders and the regions.
Abstract: Summary. A total of 1149 free-living birds of prey from Germany were examined for blood parasites. The prevalence of infection was 11% (adult birds 18%, immature birds 16%, nestlings 4%). Among the Falconiformes 11% of 976 birds were infected, and 13% of 173 Strigiformes. Out of 17 falconiform species nine were infected with blood parasites whereas the Eurasian buzzard (Buteo buteo) had the highest prevalence for haematozoa; i.e. Leucocytozoon toddi (31%), the highest prevalence (25%) for Haemoproteus sp. was found in the hobby (Falco subbuteo). Eight species of owls were examined for blood parasites; the tawny owl (Strix aluco) had the highest prevalence with Haemoproteus syrnii (22%). In the one pygmy owl (Glaucidium passerinum) examined Trypanosoma avium and Plasmodium (Giovannolaia) fallax were detected. The white-tailed sea eagle (Haliaeetus albicilla) was found to be a host of L. toddi for the first time. Differences in the prevalence of blood parasites were found in the seasons and age classes of the birds but not between birds admitted to a rehabilitation centre or samples in the wild, the sexes, bird orders and the regions.
51 citations
TL;DR: Blood samples from birds of prey were examined for the presence of haematozoan parasites and the genus most commonly detected in members of the noctumal Strigiformes was Leucocytozoon, followed by Haemoproteus, Plasmodium and Trypanosoma.
Abstract: Blood samples from birds of prey, 95 Strigiformes and 190 Falconiformes, were examined for the presence of haematozoan parasites. The birds had been admitted to a raptor recovery centre in Catalonia, north-east Spain. Parasites were counted in positive smears. A second blood sample was obtained from 99 birds at least seven days after their arrival at the centre. Haematozoa were detected in all seven species of Strigiformes and in nine of 19 species of Falconiformes. The overall prevalences in the two groups were significantly different, 30.5 per cent and 46.3 per cent in the noctumal and diumal raptors, respectively. Eleven species of haematozoan parasites were identified. The genus most commonly detected in members of the noctumal Strigiformes was Leucocytozoon , followed by Haemoproteus , Plasmodium and Trypanosoma . In the diumal Falconiformes only Leucocytozoon and Haemoproteus were detected. The highest infection rates were found in Accipiter nisus (sparrow hawks), Accipiter gentilis (goshawks) and Athene noctua (little owls). Relapses were detected in 9 per cent of the birds sampled twice. The highest intensity of infection (6.2 per cent) was observed in a Buteo buteo (buzzard) infected with Haemoproteus .
31 citations
TL;DR: This work identifies and describes the first described species of Leucocytozoon that parasitizes diurnal raptors in which gametocytes develop exclusively in roundish host blood cells, and places those parasites into a phylogenetic context with leucocy tozoids previously found in other diurnal Raptors (Accipitriformes), owls, owls and passerines, passerines (Passeriformes, and other bird species.
Abstract: Diurnal raptors in the order Accipitriformes are commonly parasitized with Leucocytozoon spp., and the prevalence and intensity of parasitemia are often high. However, for raptors in Falconiformes, several studies have reported relatively low prevalences (1 % or less) of Leucocytozoon spp. Leucocytozoon parasite pathogenicity has been documented in falcons, but little is known about the diversity, prevalence, and phylogenetic relationships among Leucocytozoon species in these predatory birds. The research reported here combines molecular and microscopic techniques to identify and describe Leucocytozoon parasites in Falco sparverius sparverius, the American kestrel, and place those parasites into a phylogenetic context with leucocytozoids previously found in other diurnal raptors (Accipitriformes), owls (Strigiformes), passerines (Passeriformes), and other bird species. Of 35 American kestrels sampled, 13 birds (37.1 %) were found by PCR to harbor the DNA lineage of a novel species, Leucocytozoon californicus. No other Leucocytozoon parasite lineages were identified in our sample. Phylogenetic analysis revealed that this parasite clusters more closely with leucocytozoids found in owls and passerines than it does with leucocytozoids found in birds of the genera Buteo and Accipiter of the order Accipitriformes. This is the first described species of Leucocytozoon that parasitizes diurnal raptors in which gametocytes develop exclusively in roundish host blood cells. It is also the first Leucocytozoon species that is described and named in birds of the Falconiformes, in which, for unclear reasons, leucocytozoids are significantly less prevalent and less diverse than in raptors with a similar behavioral ecology belonging to the Accipitriformes.
23 citations
Cites background from "The leucocytozoidae of south africa..."
...…host cells have never been seen in these birds but are common and even predominate in Leucocytozoon infections in owls of Strigidae and other birds of prey (Accipitridae; Greiner and Kocan 1977; Bishop and Bennett 1989; Valkiūnas 1989; Peirce et al. 1990; Bennett et al. 1993; Valkiūnas 2005)....
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...It is important to note that gametocytes in fusiform host cells have never been seen in these birds but are common and even predominate in Leucocytozoon infections in owls of Strigidae and other birds of prey (Accipitridae; Greiner and Kocan 1977; Bishop and Bennett 1989; Valkiūnas 1989; Peirce et al. 1990; Bennett et al. 1993; Valkiūnas 2005)....
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References
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Journal Article•
168 citations
TL;DR: A useful technique was devised for the collection of biting Diptera after they had fed on various birds exposed in dissimilar habitats in Algonquin Park and as a result, the following species of ornit...
Abstract: A useful technique was devised for the collection of biting Diptera after they had fed on various birds exposed in dissimilar habitats in Algonquin Park. As a result, the following species of ornit...
104 citations
TL;DR: This chapter describes Leucocytozoon and discusses the prevalence, taxonomy, life cycles, ultrastructure, pathogenesis, and pathology of these avian blood parasites, together with treatment in terms of prevention and control, immunity and cultivation.
Abstract: Publisher Summary This chapter describes Leucocytozoon. It discusses the prevalence, taxonomy, life cycles, ultrastructure, pathogenesis, and pathology of these avian blood parasites, together with treatment in terms of prevention and control, immunity and cultivation. Progress has been made in the knowledge of these parasites, but there is uncertainty about some of the many “species” and difficulties concerning life cycles, the experimental study of which demands satisfactory methods of maintaining hosts and vectors. Genetics is unexplored and cytological observations are reported on only one species. Intriguing epizootiological problems requiring ecological investigations of avian and insect hosts in different parts of the world await attention. These parasites can be used as models for research pertaining to the biology of cells. Information should be, especially relevant to an understanding of the related coccidian and malaria parasites. Current interest in several places leads to the expectation of interesting discoveries during the next decade.
95 citations
Journal Article•
TL;DR: The most commonly occurring blood parasites were members of the genus Haemoproteus which were represented by 63 species which occurred in 19.1% of the sample and Leucocytozoon which represented the second most frequently encountered group of haematozoa.
Abstract: The prevalence of avian haematozoa in 826 species of birds representing 73 families of sub-Saharan birds as recorded in the literature or in the files of the International Reference Centre for Avian Haematozoa and the Veterinary Research Institute is presented. The most commonly occurring blood parasites were members of the genus Haemoproteus which were represented by 63 species which occurred in 19.1% of the sample. Twenty-five species of Leucocytozoon were recorded in 8.3% of the birds and represented the second most frequently encountered group of haematozoa. Species of Plasmodium, Trypanosoma, and filarioids (as microfilariae) occurred in 3.5%, 2.5% and 2.8% respectively of the birds sampled; species of Aegyptianella, Atoxoplasma, Babesia and Hepatozoon were infrequently seen. An annotated list of the birds examined for haematozoa is presented and brief descriptions of the species of Haemoproteus and Leucocytozoon in birds of the sub-Saharan zone are included.
82 citations