Avian haemosporidian parasites infection in wild birds inhabiting Minami-daito Island of the Northwest Pacific, Japan

J Vet Med Sci. 2008 May;70(5):501-3. doi: 10.1292/jvms.70.501.

Abstract

Haemosporidian parasites infection among wild birds inhabiting Minami-daito Island was studied. Blood films from 183 birds representing 4 species of 4 families were examined microscopically. Avian haemosporidian parasites were detected in 3 species with an overall prevalence of 59.6%. None of the 30 Daito scops owls (Otus scops interpositus) examined were infected. Either Haemoproteus sp. or Plasmodium sp. infection was found in 14 of 31 (45.2%) Borodino islands white-eyes (Zosterops japonicus daitoensis). Plasmodium spp. were found in 94 of 102 (92.2%) bull-headed shrikes (Lanius bucephalus) and 1 of 20 (5%) tree sparrows (Passer montanus).

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Animals, Wild
  • Bird Diseases / epidemiology
  • Bird Diseases / parasitology*
  • Birds
  • Haemosporida / isolation & purification*
  • Japan
  • Pacific Ocean
  • Protozoan Infections, Animal / epidemiology*
  • Protozoan Infections, Animal / parasitology