Additional observations on blood parasites of birds in Costa Rica

J Wildl Dis. 2004 Jul;40(3):555-61. doi: 10.7589/0090-3558-40.3.555.

Abstract

Birds from the Area de Conservacion Guanacaste in northwestern Costa Rica were surveyed for blood parasites in June 2001 and December 2001-January 2002. Of 354 birds examined, representing 141 species of 35 families and 15 orders, 44 (12.4%) were infected with blood parasites. Species of Haemoproteus (4.8% prevalence), Plasmodium (0.6%), Leucocytozoon (0.3%), Trypanosoma (2.0%), and microfilariae (7.6%) were recorded. Twelve species of birds in this survey were examined for blood parasites for the first time. Several new host-parasite associations were identified.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Bird Diseases / blood
  • Bird Diseases / epidemiology*
  • Birds
  • Costa Rica / epidemiology
  • Erythrocytes / parasitology*
  • Female
  • Host-Parasite Interactions
  • Male
  • Parasitemia / blood
  • Parasitemia / epidemiology
  • Parasitemia / veterinary*
  • Seasons
  • Species Specificity