Blood parasites of black ducks and other anatids from Labrador and insular Newfoundland

• Published in: Canadian Journal of Zoology
• Main Authors: Bennett, Gordon F., Stotts, Vernon D., Bateman, Myrtle C.
• Format: Article in Journal/Newspaper
• Language: English
• Published: Canadian Science Publishing 1991
• Subjects: Animal Science and Zoology; Ecology, Evolution, Behavior and Systematics; Newfoundland
• Online Access: http://dx.doi.org/10.1139/z91-198; http://www.nrcresearchpress.com/doi/pdf/10.1139/z91-198

A total of 510 ducks of seven species from Labrador was examined for blood parasites; 76% of the birds were parasitized by one or more haematozoa. Leucocytozoon simondi occurred in 91% whereas haemoproteids occurred in only 11% of the infected ducks. Green-winged teal and black ducks were the most heavily parasitized of the anatid species, with a prevalence of infection higher than that of either pintails or mallards. Only 49% of the same species of ducks from western Newfoundland were infected with blood parasites; haemoproteids, rather than leucocytozoids, were the most commonly encountered blood parasite. Ducks from the eastern side of Newfoundland are still blood parasite free.