scholarly journals Blood parasites in noddies and boobies from Brazilian offshore islands – differences between species and influence of nesting habitat

Parasitology ◽  
2013 ◽  
Vol 141 (3) ◽  
pp. 399-410 ◽  
Author(s):  
PETRA QUILLFELDT ◽  
JAVIER MARTÍNEZ ◽  
LEANDRO BUGONI ◽  
PATRÍCIA L. MANCINI ◽  
SANTIAGO MERINO
Keyword(s):  
Life History ◽  
Body Condition ◽  
The Body ◽  
Blood Parasites ◽  
Molecular Screening ◽  
Intensity Of Infection ◽  
Blood Smears ◽  
Sula Leucogaster ◽  
Low Prevalence ◽  
Ground Nesting

SUMMARYSeabirds are often free from blood parasites, and a recent review suggested that phylogenetic, ecological and life-history parameters can determine the prevalence of blood parasites in seabirds. However, there is a lack of data available from many seabird groups, and a larger database is needed to understand prevalence patterns of blood parasites. We used a molecular screening approach to detect parasites of the genera Plasmodium, Haemoproteus, Leucocytozoon and Babesia in five species of two genera of seabirds that breed on Atlantic Ocean islands off Brazil. The observed patterns differed between the two bird genera. Like other Laridae, brown noddy, Anous stolidus adults were infected with Haemoproteus with low prevalence. Masked boobies, Sula dactylatra and brown boobies, Sula leucogaster were infected with Babesia. Of the latter, mainly juveniles were infected. In all species, intensity of infection (i.e. number of infected erythrocytes) was so low that parasites remained undetected in blood smears. This may explain the absence of major effects on the body condition of birds, although infected juvenile masked boobies were lighter than juveniles that were not infected with Babesia. Two tree-nesting species; black noddy, Anous minutus and red-footed booby, Sula sula did not have blood parasites, suggesting that tree-nesting may reduce the exposure to arthropod vectors compared with ground nesting in these species.

scholarly journals Blood parasites in passerine birds from the Brazilian Atlantic Forest

2012 ◽  
Vol 21 (1) ◽  
pp. 7-15 ◽  
Author(s):  
Fabiane Sebaio ◽  
Érika Martins Braga ◽  
Felipe Branquinho ◽  
Alan Fecchio ◽  
Miguel Ângelo Marini
Keyword(s):  
Atlantic Forest ◽  
Bird Species ◽  
Parasite Prevalence ◽  
Neotropical Region ◽  
Blood Parasite ◽  
Blood Parasites ◽  
Passerine Birds ◽  
Blood Smears ◽  
Temporal And Spatial ◽  
Low Prevalence

Parasites may lead bird species to extinction, affect host temporal and spatial population dynamics, alter community structure and alter individuals’ social status. We evaluated blood parasite prevalence and intensity according to bird families and species, among 925 birds that were caught in 2000 and 2001, in the Atlantic Forest in the State of Minas Gerais, Brazil. We applied Giemsa staining to thin blood smears, to detect blood parasites. The birds (n = 15.8%) in 11 families, were infected by at least one parasite genus, especially Muscicapidae (28.3%) and Conopophagidae (25%). Among the 146 infected birds, Plasmodium was detected in all bird families and had the highest prevalence (54.8%). Trypanosoma, Haemoproteus and microfilaria had lower prevalence rates (23.3, 23.3 and 2.1%, respectively). Birds caught during the rainy season were more infected than birds caught during the dry season. The overall low prevalence of blood parasites in birds is similar to the patterns found elsewhere in the Neotropical region.

scholarly journals Rodent helminths in fragmented Atlantic Forest areas in the western region of the state of Paraná

2021 ◽  
Vol 30 (3) ◽  
Author(s):  
Danise Benatti ◽  
Luis Felipe Andrietti ◽  
José Flávio Cândido Júnior ◽  
Alexandre Vogliotti ◽  
Marcela Figueirêdo Duarte Moraes ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Atlantic Forest ◽  
Body Condition ◽  
Condition Index ◽  
Ecological Indicators ◽  
The Body ◽  
Western Region ◽  
Body Condition Index ◽  
Intensity Of Infection ◽  
New Host ◽  
The Western Region

Abstract Rodents are small mammals that can be parasitized by various helminths. This study aimed to identify and describe the ecological indicators of infection in rodents captured in fragments of the Atlantic Forest in the western region of Paraná State, Brazil. Sixty-eight specimens of five rodent species were collected, necropsied, and inspected in search of helminths. The parasites were stored in 70% ethanol, morphologically identified, and counted for calculation of infection indicators. Fourteen species of helminths and one species of Crustacea were recorded: ten in Akodon montensis, four in Mus musculus, two in Thaptomys nigrita, two in Oligoryzomys nigripes, and one in Euryoryzomys russatus. The registered species of parasites were: Rodentolepis akodontis, Angiostrongylus sp., Protospirura numidica criceticola, Trichuris navonae, Syphacia alata, Syphacia criceti, Syphacia evaginata, Trichofreitasia lenti, Stilestrongylus aculeata, Stilestrongylus eta, Stilestrongylus gracielae, Stilestrongylus franciscanus, Stilestrongylus moreli, Stilestrongylus sp., and Pentastomida gen. sp. A positive correlation between the intensity of infection of T. navonae and T. lenti was observed with the body condition index of the host A. montensis. For all species, this study represents a new register of locality, and for eight of them a new host.

scholarly journals Aerial photogrammetry and tag-derived tissue density reveal patterns of lipid-store body condition of humpback whales on their feeding grounds

2021 ◽  
Vol 288 (1943) ◽  
pp. 20202307
Author(s):  
Kagari Aoki ◽  
Saana Isojunno ◽  
Charlotte Bellot ◽  
Takashi Iwata ◽  
Joanna Kershaw ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Life History ◽  
Body Condition ◽  
Marine Mammals ◽  
The Body ◽  
Humpback Whales ◽  
Body Density ◽  
Aerial Photogrammetry ◽  
Free Ranging ◽  
Negatively Buoyant ◽  
Feeding Grounds

Monitoring the body condition of free-ranging marine mammals at different life-history stages is essential to understand their ecology as they must accumulate sufficient energy reserves for survival and reproduction. However, assessing body condition in free-ranging marine mammals is challenging. We cross-validated two independent approaches to estimate the body condition of humpback whales ( Megaptera novaeangliae ) at two feeding grounds in Canada and Norway: animal-borne tags ( n = 59) and aerial photogrammetry ( n = 55). Whales that had a large length-standardized projected area in overhead images (i.e. whales looked fatter) had lower estimated tissue body density (TBD) (greater lipid stores) from tag data. Linking both measurements in a Bayesian hierarchical model to estimate the true underlying (hidden) tissue body density (uTBD), we found uTBD was lower (−3.5 kg m −3 ) in pregnant females compared to adult males and resting females, while in lactating females it was higher (+6.0 kg m −3 ). Whales were more negatively buoyant (+5.0 kg m −3 ) in Norway than Canada during the early feeding season, possibly owing to a longer migration from breeding areas. While uTBD decreased over the feeding season across life-history traits, whale tissues remained negatively buoyant (1035.3 ± 3.8 kg m −3 ) in the late feeding season. This study adds confidence to the effectiveness of these independent methods to estimate the body condition of free-ranging whales.

Note regarding the new Buffalo Spirochaete

Parasitology ◽  
1910 ◽  
Vol 3 (3) ◽  
pp. 319-320
Author(s):  
Andrew Balfour
Keyword(s):  
East Africa ◽  
Blood Smear ◽  
Average Length ◽  
Stomach Contents ◽  
The Body ◽  
Tropical Medicine ◽  
Blood Parasites ◽  
London School ◽  
Blood Smears ◽  
Thin Thread

I Have been much interested in Professor Nuttall's paper in the April number of Parasitology (this volume, p. 113) and especially in his description of a parasite found by him in blood smears from a buffalo sent to England from British East Africa. He has named this organism Spirochaeta bovis caffris though he is evidently somewhat doubtful as to its nature. I write to say that early in 1909 I received from Captain Hadow one blood smear from a Jackson Hartebeeste which he had shot in the Bahr-El-Ghazal and on the body of which he found G. morsitans in the act of feeding. In this smear I found organisms which answered very closely to those described and figured by Professor Nuttall. They were somewhat smaller, having an average length of 16·5 μ and a breadth of 0·7 μ but presented the same appearance, stained in the same way and in some instances showed the achromatic transverse bands which he mentions. From its shape I mentally termed one variety the buffalo-horn type and I made drawings of the different forms encountered. On April 18th 1909 I sent the slide to Dr Wenyon at the London School of Tropical Medicine with a note directing his attention to these curious parasites and stating that, to me, they looked more like spirochaetes than anything else but that I was unable to classify them. Unfortunately, though my letter was safely delivered, the box containing the slide was never seen again. Dr Wenyon, however, wrote and told me that he had come across similar forms in the blood of big game which had been shot, and recorded his opinion that the forms in question were not blood parasites at all but were derived from the intestine and had been carried into the exit wound by the bullet or by discharges finding their way along the bullet track. One recognised the possibility of such an occurrence and the fallacies to which it might give rise and, on meeting Captain Hadow, I asked him if he remembered where the animal had been shot. To the best of his recollection the bullet had passed through the neck severing the gullet and it is quite possible that in the last throes stomach contents might have regurgitated through the wound of exit. The presence of very thin thread-like spirochaete forms in the film and of some bodies which suggested yeasts made me refrain from publishing any account of the case until I had more evidence regarding Dr Wenyon's hypothesis.

The biology of Atrispinum labracis n. comb. (Monogenea) on the gills of the bass, Dicentrarchus labrax

1983 ◽  
Vol 63 (4) ◽  
pp. 915-927 ◽  
Author(s):  
Judith Winch
Keyword(s):  
Dicentrarchus Labrax ◽  
Sea Bass ◽  
The Body ◽  
Gill Arch ◽  
Intensity Of Infection ◽  
Copulatory Apparatus ◽  
Open Sea ◽  
Mating Opportunities ◽  
Low Prevalence

Atrispinum labracis (Van Beneden & Hesse) n.comb. syn. Microcotyle labracis Van Beneden & Hesse, 1863, parasitizes the bass Dicentrarchus labrax but almost only in the open sea; the very low prevalence of parasites on juvenile estuarine hosts was not due to intolerance of lower salinities in this habitat. The intensity of infection on open-sea bass was rarely more than 2 per fish but the strict localization of the habitat to the outer hemibranch of the ventral end of the first gill arch is thought to enhance the mating opportunities. The parasite attaches itself asymmetrically to the gill by a permanent morphological inclination of the body with respect to the haptor which is itself symmetrically aligned on a single primary lamella.Substantial differences between the copulatory apparatus of A. labracis and that of Microcotyle donavini Van Beneden & Hesse, 1863, the type of Microcotyle, have made necessary the transfer of the parasite from Dicentrarchus labrax to Atrispinum Maillard & Noisy, 1979 and a consequent amendment to the diagnosis of the subfamily Atriasterinae Maillard & Noisy, 1979.

scholarly journals Effects of migratory status and habitat on the prevalence and intensity of infection by haemoparasites in passerines in eastern Spain

2013 ◽  
Vol 36 (1) ◽  
pp. 113-121
Author(s):  
J. Rivera ◽  
◽  
E. Barba ◽  
A. Mestre ◽  
J. Rueda ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Population Dynamics ◽  
Mediterranean Region ◽  
Blood Parasites ◽  
Migratory Species ◽  
Intensity Of Infection ◽  
Local Populations ◽  
Blood Smears ◽  
Avian Blood ◽  
Avian Blood Parasites ◽  
Migratory Status

The Iberian peninsula is a suitable place to study the effects of migratory condition on the prevalence of blood parasites in avian communities as resident, local populations cohabit with migratory species and with abundant vector populations. In this study we examined the incidence of avian blood parasites in three localities in the Mediterranean region (east Spain), in relation to the migratory status of the species. We analyzed 333 blood smears from 11 avian species, and obtained an overall prevalence of 9.6 %. The prevalence of parasites varied among the different species studied, although intensity of infection did not. Our results are discussed in terms of population dynamics and abundance of Diptera vectors able to transmit blood parasites to other birds.

scholarly journals Haemosporidian parasites prevalence associated with physical conditioning of avian species from the Brazilian Cerrado

2020 ◽  
Vol 42 ◽  
pp. e50
Author(s):  
Paulo Vitor Alves Ribeiro ◽  
Camilla Queiroz Baesse ◽  
Vitor Carneiro de Magalhães Tolentino ◽  
Marco Miguel de Oliveira ◽  
Maria Júlia Rodrigues da Cunha ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Carbon Dioxide ◽  
Body Condition ◽  
Bird Species ◽  
Parasite Prevalence ◽  
Blood Parasite ◽  
The Body ◽  
Avian Species ◽  
Blood Parasites ◽  
Brazilian Cerrado ◽  
Condition Indices

Blood parasites can infect myriad avian species and thereby affect the fitness and survival of their hosts. There is wide interspecific variation in parasite prevalence related to biological, ecological, and evolutionary host factors. This study aimed to determine the blood parasite prevalence in avian species from the Brazilian Cerrado and to investigate the associations among biomass, body condition, and blood parasitism. A total of 1,098 blood smears from 549 individuals (56 species) collected in four forest fragments were analyzed. Of these, 109 (19.85%) individuals from 33 species were infected: 13 (2.36%) were positive for Haemoproteus and 103 (18.76%) for Plasmodium. There was co-infection between both genera of parasites in 7 individuals. Among bird species, prevalence ranged from zero to 100%. There were significant positive correlations between prevalence and biomass and the body condition index. Hemosporid vectors track their hosts by carbon dioxide detection. Since large organisms emit more carbon dioxide, our results suggest that larger birds may be more susceptible to hemosporid vectors. Additionally, species with higher body condition indices can be more tolerant to parasites, possibly because they have more energy reserves. This study showed that species with higher biomass and body condition indices were associated with higher blood parasite prevalence, a finding that suggests these factors are efficient predictors to explain the interspecific variations. This information could be important for the understanding parasite-host relationships and useful for bird conservation programs.

scholarly journals High prevalence and genetic diversity of Haemoproteus columbae (Haemosporida: Haemoproteidae) in feral pigeons Columba livia in Cape Town, South Africa

2019 ◽  
Vol 119 (2) ◽  
pp. 447-463 ◽  
Author(s):  
Carina Nebel ◽  
Josef Harl ◽  
Adrien Pajot ◽  
Herbert Weissenböck ◽  
Arjun Amar ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Genetic Diversity ◽  
Cytochrome B ◽  
Body Condition ◽  
Cape Town ◽  
Infection Intensity ◽  
Columba Livia ◽  
The Body ◽  
Blood Parasites ◽  
Haemoproteus Columbae ◽  
Feral Pigeons

AbstractIn this study, we explore blood parasite prevalence, infection intensity, and co-infection levels in an urban population of feral pigeons Columba livia in Cape Town. We analyze the effect of blood parasites on host body condition and the association between melanin expression in the host’s plumage and parasite infection intensity and co-infection levels. Relating to the haemosporidian parasite itself, we study their genetic diversity by means of DNA barcoding (cytochrome b) and show the geographic and host distribution of related parasite lineages in pigeons worldwide. Blood from 195 C. livia individuals was collected from April to June 2018. Morphometric measurements and plumage melanism were recorded from every captured bird. Haemosporidian prevalence and infection intensity were determined by screening blood smears and parasite lineages by DNA sequencing. Prevalence of Haemoproteus spp. was high at 96.9%. The body condition of the hosts was negatively associated with infection intensity. However, infection intensity was unrelated to plumage melanism. The cytochrome b sequences revealed the presence of four Haemoproteus lineages in our population of pigeons, which show high levels of co-occurrence within individual birds. Three lineages (HAECOL1, COLIV03, COQUI05) belong to Haemoproteus columbae and differ only by 0.1% to 0.8% in the cytochrome b gene. Another lineage (COLIV06) differs by 8.3% from the latter ones and is not linked to a morphospecies, yet. No parasites of the genera Leucocytozoon and Plasmodium were detected.

Sprint speed is related to blood parasites, but not to ectoparasites, in an insular population of lacertid lizards

2014 ◽  
Vol 92 (1) ◽  
pp. 67-72 ◽  
Author(s):  
M. Garrido ◽  
V. Pérez-Mellado
Keyword(s):  
Body Condition ◽  
Parasite Load ◽  
Significant Negative Correlation ◽  
Blood Parasites ◽  
Intensity Of Infection ◽  
Lizard Species ◽  
Sprint Speed ◽  
Lower Blood ◽  
Podarcis Lilfordi ◽  
Insular Population

Parasites are able to negatively affect the locomotor performance of their hosts, and consequently, their biological fitness. In this study, we examine the relationship between parasitism and burst speed in an insular population of Lilford’s Wall Lizard (Podarcis lilfordi (Günther, 1874)). Podarcis lilfordi is normally infected with haemogregarine blood parasites and mites in our study location, Aire Island (Balearic Islands, Spain). Unlike the results from other studies on lizards, we found a significant negative correlation between intensity of infection by haemogregarines and burst speed. Body condition is also significantly related to burst speed. Thus, lizards with a lower blood parasite load and better body condition show a faster sprint speed. Intensity of infection by haemoparasites shows a lack of correlation with both body condition and mite load. Our results are compared with those from other lizard species living in different habitats. We discuss the influence of insular environmental conditions on locomotor performances, such as low predation pressure, lack of competitors, and high lizard densities.

scholarly journals Relation of Automated Body Condition Scoring System and Inline Biomarkers (Milk Yield, β-Hydroxybutyrate, Lactate Dehydrogenase and Progesterone in Milk) with Cow’s Pregnancy Success

Sensors ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 21 (4) ◽  
pp. 1414
Author(s):  
Ramūnas Antanaitis ◽  
Vida Juozaitienė ◽  
Dovilė Malašauskienė ◽  
Mindaugas Televičius ◽  
Mingaudas Urbutis ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Lactate Dehydrogenase ◽  
Reproductive Success ◽  
Milk Yield ◽  
Body Condition ◽  
Body Condition Score ◽  
The Body ◽  
Time Analyzer ◽  
Condition Score ◽  
Pregnancy Status ◽  
Body Condition Scoring

The aim of the current study was to evaluate the relation of automatically determined body condition score (BCS) and inline biomarkers such as β-hydroxybutyrate (BHB), milk yield (MY), lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), and progesterone (mP4) with the pregnancy success of cows. The cows (n = 281) had 2.1 ± 0.1. lactations on average, were 151.6 ± 0.06 days postpartum, and were once tested with “Easy scan” ultrasound (IMV imaging, Scotland) at 30–35 d post-insemination. According to their reproductive status, cows were grouped into two groups: non-pregnant (n = 194 or 69.0% of cows) and pregnant (n = 87 or 31.0% of cows). Data concerning their BCS, mP4, MY, BHB, and LDH were collected each day from the day of insemination for 7 days. The BCS was collected with body condition score camera (DeLaval Inc., Tumba, Sweden); mP4, MY, BHB, and LDH were collected with the fully automated real-time analyzer Herd Navigator™ (Lattec I/S, Hillerød, Denmark) in combination with a DeLaval milking robot (DeLaval Inc., Tumba, Sweden). Of all the biomarkers, three differences between groups were significant. The body condition score (BCS) of the pregnant cows was higher (+0.49 score), the milk yield (MY) was lower (−4.36 kg), and milk progesterone in pregnant cows was (+6.11 ng/mL) higher compared to the group of non-pregnant cows (p < 0.001). The pregnancy status of the cows was associated with their BCS assessment (p < 0.001). We estimated that cows with BCS > 3.2 were 22 times more likely to have reproductive success than cows with BCS ≤ 3.2.

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