Blood Parasites of Birds in Algonquin Park, Canada, and a Discussion of Their Transmission

Abstract

Fixed and stained blood smears of over 3000 birds resident in Algonquin Park, Canada, have been examined for blood parasites. Sixty per cent of the adults and 40% of the immature birds harbored one or more blood parasites. Leucocytozoon occurred in 60%, Trypanosoma in 48%, Haemoproteus in 26%, Microfilaria in 7%, and Plasmodium in 2% of the infected birds. High incidence and high parasitaemia of Leucocytozoon, Trypanosoma, and Haemoproteus coincided with the occurrence of large numbers of ornithophilic simuliids and Culicoides and preceded the time when most hippoboscids were recovered. Differences in incidence of parasites and the level of parasitaemia in different birds when considered in relation to the occurrence and feeding behavior of various ornithophilic flies suggest that simuliids are the vectors of Trypanosoma, and Culicoides transmit Haemoproteus in this area.

Avian Hemosporidian Parasites From Northern California Oak Woodland and Chaparral Habitats

“…Comparison of these results with previous studies reveals similar overall prevalence of hemosporidians in bird communities from high latitudes in Alaska, USA, and Canada , central and southern California, USA (Clark and Swinehart, 1966b;Herms et al, 1939), Vermont, USA (Barnard and Blair, 1986), Ontario, Canada (Bennett and Fallis, 1960), southeastern USA (Greiner et al, 1975), central USA (Greiner et al, 1975), and the Lesser Antilles (Apanius et al, 2000;Fallon et al, 2005). Only two surveys reported much lower prevalence, for southern California, USA (3%; Wood and Wood, 1937) and Cape Code, USA (7%; Herman, 1938).…”

“…rare (3% and 9% [CI50.03-0.14]). Table 1 presents the bird species in the sample by family, infection status by genus and species, and documentation of infection by parasites from the three genera reported in previous studies (Bennett et al, 1982;Bishop and Bennett, 1992;Herman 1944;Super and van Riper, 1995). Three host species are first reported as infected with parasites of the genus Plasmodium, two host species with parasites of the genus Haemoproteus, and two host species with parasites of the genus Leucocytozoon.…”

“…An undescribed species of Haemoproteus was sampled in the Bushtit and is indicated. Previously reported results are also summarized, listing parasites of which genus, if any, that have been found infecting each bird (giving genus code, based on numerous reports, including Bennett et al, [1982]; Bishop and Bennett [1992]; Herman [1944]; and Super and van Riper [1995] dians (n518). Otherwise, the parasites were broadly distributed among bird families.…”

“…These parasites were rare or absent in the flycatchers, woodpeckers, and titmice, but common in sparrows. Again, this suggests that the vectors may differ in abundance and composition according to different habitats or even microhabitats or their use of bird groups for blood meals (Bennett, 1960). Additionally, certain bird families may be more susceptible to infection by Haemoproteus parasites, including those transmitted by the local vectors, perhaps because of host-parasite relations, such as cospeciation or immunocompetence (Greiner et al, 1975).…”

Ecology of Culicoides (Diptera: Ceratopogonidae) in Southcentral Florida and Experimental Culicoides Vectors of the Avian Hematozoan Haemoproteus Danilewskyi Kruse

“…(Fallis and Wood, 1957;Bennett and Fallis, 1960;Bennett and Combs, 1975) which are common hematozoa in wild birds. Despite a great deal of recent interest in the effect of blood parasites on the evolutionary ecology of birds, little is known of the pathogenicity and ecology of species of Haemoproteus because laboratory infections are difficult to establish.…”