HAEMOSPORIDIAN PARASITES IN LONG-EARED OWLS WINTERING IN BANAT, SERBIA

Abstract

Parasites from the Phylum Apicomplexa (genera Haemoproteus, Plasmodium and Leucocytozoon) are the vector-born blood parasites distributed worldwide. This group of parasites has been the subject of extensive study in passerines, but less so in other groups of birds, such as owls. Four haemosporidian species have been discovered in the Long-eared Owl Asio otus so far. As there are only a few records of haemosporidian infection in wintering Long-eared Owls, in our pilot project we studied the prevalence, parasitemia, and diversity of the blood parasites of owl mentioned above in Banat, Serbia. We found the presence of all three genera, of which Leucocytozoon was the most abundant. The total prevalence was 52.2%, while the average parasitemia in winter was low, only 0.16%. We also observed two cases of co-infection. Interestingly, the presence of parasites did not affect the SMI (scaled mass index) and the health status of the birds.