Diversity of ectoparasites and endoparasites in thrush species (Turdidae) of subtropical Andean forests

MAGRO J; ARÁOZ R; NAZARO MG; ZELAYA P; FERRO A; MARTÍN E; DI PAULI A; MORENO RUIZ HOLGADO MM; ROBERTON J; IGLESIAS C; EBERHARDT A; FLORES FS; PALACIOS MG; SÁNCHEZ R; BLENDINGER PG

Puerto Iguazú

Congreso; Ornithological Congress of the Americas; 2017

Parasitism affect the growth, reproduction, and susceptibility to infections of the hosts. Birds host a great variety of parasites, an interaction relevant in the dispersion of the birds and their pathogens. We studied the diversity of ectoparasites and endoparasites in three species of thrushes (Turdidae) with differences in their migratory behavior in subtropical Andean forests. We worked with Catharus ustulatus (Neartic latitudinal migrant), Turdus nigriceps (Austral latitudinal migrant of the Neotropics.) y T. rufiventris (resident) in the Selva Montana of Yungas, Tucumán, Argentina. We inspect every host in search of ectoparasites, we made blood smears to search for hemoparasites and collected faeces for coproparasitological analysis. We reported: (1) Ectoparasites: Ixodes auritulus e I. pararicinus in both T. rufiventris and T. nigriceps, and Ixodes sp. in the three thrush species; (2) Hemoparasites: microfilaries in both Turdus species; (3) Endoparasites: cestodes (Dilepis sp. and Wardium sp.) in both Turdus species, three species of nematodes (Syngamus trachea in T. rufiventris, Superfamily Trichostrongiloidea in both Turdus species, and Order Spirurida in T. rufiventris), and two species of coccids in the genera Isospora in T. rufiventris y C. ustulatus. The diversity of parasites by bird species was related to the number of individuals inspected, being T. rufiventris the most infested and C.ustulatus the less infested. Our results suggest that the interactions between parasites and thrushes are complex, and that although they are closely related species, their life stories could be influencing on the nature and extent of the infestation.