Prevalence of hemoparasites in avian species of coastal and upland sites of Marinduque Island, MIMAROPA, Philippines

Abstract

Interaction between birds and blood parasites may provide signs of the environment's health status and thus, help decision-making. Avian species in the coastal (0-7 m asl) and mountain (110–770 m asl) areas of the island of Marinduque were captured to determine the prevalence and test the difference of blood parasites between these sites. One hundred thirty-two resident wild birds and 60 individuals of free-range domestic chicken were sampled and screened for blood parasites through peripheral blood smear microscopy. Plasmodium, Hemoproteus, and Aegyptianella were observed in 21% of captured birds and 17.7% of all sampled, including free-range domestic chicken. Plasmodium occurred the highest (6.77%), followed by Aegyptianella (5.72%), while Hemoproteus was the lowest (5.20%). Out of the burrow, tree cavity, mound, and open cup nester avian species captured in this study, five open cup nesters and only one burrow nester were infected. Two species of these birds prefer to nest on the ground, while the rest are understory nesters. A higher prevalence of hemoparasite infection was detected in the coastal sampling site at both the species and family levels (37.5% vs 25% and 29% vs 16%, respectively). No infection was observed with the free-range domestic chicken and red jungle fowl from the mountain sampling site, but 8.5% of the bulbuls from the same area and 20% of the domesticated poultry on the coast were found to be infected with Aegyptianella. However, statistical analysis found no significant difference in parasitic prevalence between the sites or elevation (U=10.500, p=0.673).