Trichomonas gallinae infections in the naïve host Montifringilla nivalis subsp. nivalis

Abstract

Infectious diseases bear a great risk for populations of naïve host species. In the present article we inform about the first microscopic and molecular detection of the bird pathogen Trichomonas gallinae in the White-winged Snowfinch (Montifringilla nivalis subsp. nivalis). The emergence of trichomonosis in this highly specialised alpine bird species may pose a serious threat to its already declining population. Interspecies transmission of T. gallinae most likely occurred at a bird feeder in a Swiss mountain village. Monitoring of the disease and immediate measures to prevent its spread are urgently needed.

Habitat-use influences severe disease-mediated population declines in two of the most common garden bird species in Great Britain

“…unpublished observations, Robinson et al 28 ). The inter-specific spillover of a disease from a common species into rarer species may be of concern, for example, a spill-over event of T. gallinae from greenfinches to white-winged snowfinches (Montifringilla nivalis) at a bird feeder in a Swiss mountain village resulted in multiple mortalities of this endemic, alpine species 87 .…”