Haemosporidian infection in passerine birds from high elevation in the Tian Shan, Kyrgyzstan
Abstract
The study of blood parasites in alpine environments allows us to look into host-parasite relationships under very specific conditions. The objective of our study was to detect the presence of blood parasites in Alpine accentors (Prunella collaris) living in the Central Tian Shan region, Kyrgyzstan. However, an examination of the specimens of the genus Prunella confirmed the absence of blood parasites in all tested samples (species: P. atrogularis, P. collaris rubida, P. fulvescens). In addition to the target species, other songbirds were also examined to determine the presence of haemosporidian parasites in the region. A total of 52 birds of 21 species of 6 families were examined. In the samples, the presence of parasites of the genus Haemoproteus (8 positives individuals) and Leucocytozoon (4 positives individuals) was detected in the host species: Emberiza buchanani, Luscinia megarhynchos, Motacilla cinerea, Phoenicurus cae- ruleocephala, Serinus pusillus.
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