Proventriculus and intestinal samples from 70 North American red-winged blackbirds (Agelaius phoeniceus; order Passeriformes) were examined for the presence of Cryptosporidium by PCR amplification and sequence analysis of the 18S ribosomal RNA (18S rRNA), actin, and 70-kDa heat shock protein (HSP70) genes. Twelve birds (17.1 %) were positive for the Cryptosporidium 18S rRNA gene: six birds were positive at the proventriculus site only and six birds were positive at the proventriculus and intestinal sites. Sequence analysis of the 18S rRNA, actin and HSP70 genes showed the presence of the gastric species Cryptosporidium galli in a single proventriculus sample and a closely related genotype, which we have named Cryptosporidium avian genotype VI, in all other positive samples. These findings contribute to our understanding of Cryptosporidium diversification in passerines, the largest avian order.
Keywords: Avian genotype VI; Cryptosporidium; Cryptosporidium galli; Intestine; Passerines; Proventriculus; Red-winged blackbird.