Hidden components of biodiversity: bird-parasite associations in five continents

0469022 - ÚBO 2017 SK eng A - Abstract
Čapek, Miroslav - Literák, I. - Sychra, O. - Najer, T. - Kounek, F. - Havlíček, M.
Hidden components of biodiversity: bird-parasite associations in five continents.
Folia oecologica. Walter de Gruyter. Roč. 43, č. 1 (2016), s. 103. ISSN 1336-5266.
[Aplikovaná ornitológia /27./. 11.12.2015-12.12.2015, Zvolen]
Institutional support: RVO:68081766
Keywords : Parasites * Birds
Subject RIV: EG - Zoology

Parasites are an important, though usually overlooked, component of the biodiversity of ecosystems. They can cause disease and death of the host or regulate host populations and influence host community structure. We studied hostparasite systems in the Neotropical (Central and South America), Afrotropical (Western Africa), Indomalayan (Southeast Asia) and Palearctic (Central Europe) Regions. Examination of a total of 7,482 birds belonging to 660 species, 18 orders and 79 families revealed five genera and 73 species of parasites new to science as well as new host-specific associations. Moreover, a number of parasite species were recorded for the first time in the study areas. Parasitic infections caused by trematodes and bacteria were found in birds and ticks from Costa Rica, Brazil and Peru. Eye trematodes Philophthalmus lucipetus were found in Many-colored rush tyrants Tachuris rubrigastra. Ticks collected from birds were tested for the presence of rickettsiae. Those of the genera Amblyoma and Ixodes tested were found to be infected with a Rickettsia parkeri-like agent, R. bellii, "Candidatus R. amblyommii", and a novel Rickettsia sp. agent. Hyalomma ticks were recorded from birds in the Czech and Slovak Republics. Sixteen individuals of six passerine species were found to transport 30 ticks, identified as individuals belonging to the H. marginatum species complex, during five spring seasons. Ticks of the genus Hyalomma are well-known vectors transmitting infectious agents, which can result in severe and
potentially fatal diseases in humans. Migratory birds may carry infected ticks over long distances.
Permanent Link: http://hdl.handle.net/11104/0268147