Attacks on the endangered Attwater's Prairie-Chicken (Tympanuchus cupido attwateri) by black flies (Diptera: Simuliidae) infected with an avian blood parasite

J Vector Ecol. 2007 Dec;32(2):309-12. doi: 10.3376/1081-1710(2007)32[309:aoteap]2.0.co;2.

Abstract

With fewer than 50 birds remaining in the wild, Attwater's Prairie-Chicken (Tympanuchus cupido attwateri) is critically endangered. Individuals of this species on the Attwater Prairie Chicken National Wildlife Refuge, Colorado Co., TX, have been attacked in successive winters, 2005-2006, by the blood-feeding black fly Cnephia ornithophilia. Attwater's Prairie-Chicken is a previously unreported host for Cnephia ornithophilia. Molecular screening indicated that about 15% of 13 blood-fed flies sampled from captured Attwater's Prairie-Chickens carried a parasite of the genus Leucocytozoon that can cause a debilitating avian malaria-like disease. If blood feeding or transmission of the disease agent becomes a threat to the birds, particularly in years of lean food supply or harsh weather, management of Cnephia ornithophilia should be considered.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, Non-P.H.S.

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Chickens / parasitology*
  • Cytochromes b / genetics
  • DNA, Protozoan / genetics
  • Female
  • Haemosporida / physiology*
  • Insect Vectors / parasitology*
  • Insect Vectors / physiology
  • Male
  • Molecular Sequence Data
  • Polymerase Chain Reaction
  • Sequence Analysis, DNA
  • Simuliidae / parasitology*
  • Simuliidae / physiology
  • Texas

Substances

  • DNA, Protozoan
  • Cytochromes b

Associated data

  • GENBANK/DQ355976