Heteroxenous Coccidia (Apicomplexa: Sarcocystidae) in the Populations of Their Final and Intermediate Hosts: European Buzzard and Small Mammals
Summary. Factors influencing prevalences of heteroxenous coccidia in the populations of small mammals and buzzards (Buteo buteo) were studied in the Czech Republic. Seventy one percent of buzzard broods were positive for Frenkelia-like sporocysts. Prevalence increased with nestling age and number, a...
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| Format: | Text |
| Language: | English |
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| Online Access: | http://citeseerx.ist.psu.edu/viewdoc/summary?doi=10.1.1.533.5591 http://www.parazitologie.cz/protozoologie/Personal homepages/Votypka/Frenkelia ecology.pdf |
| Summary: | Summary. Factors influencing prevalences of heteroxenous coccidia in the populations of small mammals and buzzards (Buteo buteo) were studied in the Czech Republic. Seventy one percent of buzzard broods were positive for Frenkelia-like sporocysts. Prevalence increased with nestling age and number, and reached 100 % at nest desertion. The prevalences of brain sarcosporidia (Frenkelia glareoli and F. microti) in rodents were higher in ecotones than in open habitats, in spring than in autumn, in heavier individuals, and on 2nd and 3rd day of trapping. These factors were significant although the overall prevalence was different in different host species (Clethrionomys glareolus, Microtus arvalis, Apodemus flavicollis, A. sylvaticus). The prevalences of muscle sarcosporidia in rodents and Sorex araneus were also positively influenced by habitat and host weight, while only for M. arvalis was the prevalence higher in spring. Host sex, locality and year did not show any effects on the prevalences. Besides two Frenkelia species, five Sarcocystis species were found (S. putorii, S. cernae, S. cf sebeki, and two undescribed species from C. glareolus and Sorex araneus). Natural infections of C. glareolus with F. microti and of A. flavicollis with F. glareoli are reported for the first time. Our study demonstrates that prevalences of brain and muscle sarcosporidians in small mammals are influenced by similar factors (intermediate host habitat and age) in different host-parasite combinations. |
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