Occurrence of blood parasites and intensity of infection in Prunella modularis in the montane and subalpine zone in the Slovak Carpathians

Abstract

The objective of this study was to obtain primary information on the occurrence of blood parasites and intensity of infection in the Dunnock Prunella modularis in the montane region of Slovakia. Altogether 109 birds were examined during the years 2006-2010. The occurrence of Haemoproteus sp., Leucocytozoon fringillinarum and Trypanosoma sp. was documented. Blood parasite prevalences of 45% by microscopic examination and 55% by PCR diagnostics were found. The prevalence of Leucocytozoon sp. was found to be dependent on host sex with males showing a significantly higher intensity of infection with Leucocytozoon. Adult birds showed significantly higher infection prevalence than subadults. The prevalences of both Leucocytozoon sp. and Haemoproteus sp. were significantly dependent on bird age. The intensity of infection with Haemoproteus and Leucocytozoon was positively correlated and higher intensity of infection was confirmed in adult birds then in subadults birds. The prevalence of blood parasites in our samples was significantly higher in comparison to most other studies from different countries of Europe conducted at lower altitudes, indicating that the montane zone is especially favourable for the transmission of Leucocytozoon and Haemoproteus species.

New host and lineage diversity of avian haemosporidia in the northern Andes

“…The results confirm previous findings that Leucocytozoon is well established at higher altitudes (Haas et al. ). As our sampling sizes and number of sites were limited at the highest elevations, further investigation into these environments would greatly aid to support the pattern seen between altitude and host species richness in the tropical Andes (Kattan and Franco ), namely a decrease in species numbers at extreme altitudes (>3000 m).…”

Manifold habitat effects on the prevalence and diversity of avian blood parasites

“…In the Andes of Ecuador, elevation and temperature proved to be the best predictors of avian haemosporidian prevalence, but Plasmodium was found at lower elevations than Haemoproteus and Leucocytozoon ( Harrigan et al., 2014 ). Several other studies have also reported that Leucocytozoon parasites are common at higher altitudes ( Haas et al., 2012 , Imura et al., 2012 , van Rooyen et al., 2013 , Lotta et al., 2015 ), and latitudes ( Oakgrove et al., 2014 ) than Plasmodium in birds. Murdock et al.…”

Latitudinal gradients of haemosporidian parasites: Prevalence, diversity and drivers of infection in the Thorn-tailed Rayadito (Aphrastura spinicauda)

“…In this sense, our findings are not unexpected, since Leucocytozoon species are adapted to develop and transmit below 15 °C (Valkiūnas, 2005). In addition, Leucocytozoon has been described as to complete their life cycle at higher latitudes and elevations in mountain regions (Haas et al, 2012; Van Rooyen et al, 2013a; Harrigan et al, 2014; Matta et al, 2014; Illera et al, 2017). The mountains regions provide favorable habitat for blackflies, the vectors for Leucocytozoon (Haas et al, 2012; Lotta et al, 2016).…”

“…In addition, Leucocytozoon has been described as to complete their life cycle at higher latitudes and elevations in mountain regions (Haas et al, 2012; Van Rooyen et al, 2013a; Harrigan et al, 2014; Matta et al, 2014; Illera et al, 2017). The mountains regions provide favorable habitat for blackflies, the vectors for Leucocytozoon (Haas et al, 2012; Lotta et al, 2016). Vectors are habitat dependent (Santiago-Alarcón et al, 2012) and blackflies are recorded in all environments from different altitudes and latitudes (Coscarón and Arias, 2007).…”