Avian haemoparasite prevalence in Kruger National Park and the surrounding human settlements

Abstract

The drivers and implications of avian haemoparasite infection in wild birds are complicated to understand and predict, especially in areas where infections are endemic and the parasites have co-evolved together with their hosts. I studied the prevalence of avian haemoparasite infections in the Kruger National Park and the impact of haematozoa on host immune response. Six sites were sampled and blood from 685 birds of 87 species was microscopically screened for parasites. Haemoproteus, microfilariae, Trypanosoma, Plasmodium, Leucocytozoon, Aegyptianella and Hepatozoon spp. were detected. Overall prevalence was 27.33 % with 29 cases of mixed infections, which were mostly in association with Haemoproteus. Prevalence was similar for all sites and seasons, with no apparent influence of host life history traits on infection. Interestingly, immune status and body condition were better in infected than uninfected individuals. These findings reveal the complex relationship between parasites and their avian hosts in a southern African environment.