RESUMO

Invasive species impact native wildlife in several ways, as they compete for resources and may transmit their specific pathogens. However, the potential consequences of co-introduced parasites are not fully understood. While the house sparrow (Passer domesticus) was introduced in Chile about a century ago, no data are available regarding its parasites. Thus, the aim of the present study was to determine the parasitic fauna of this avian invader and to determine whether there are co-introduced/co-invasive parasites shared with native birds. One hundred and eight birds were collected from three different localities in the Ñuble region of Chile, and a complete parasitic necropsy was performed in the laboratory. Twenty-three (21.3%) were parasitized by six arthropod species and four (3.7%) were parasitized by two helminth species. Four out of eight taxa are reported for the first time in Chile; among them, three arthropod parasites and the tapeworm, Anonchotaenia globate, are considered as co-introduced parasites. Only A. globata is a potential co-invasive parasite given its low degree specificity in terms of its definitive hosts. Future research should examine whether additional co-introduced/co-invasive parasites have been brought by the house sparrow, and what their potential consequences might be on the health of native birds in Chile.(AU)

As espécies invasoras de vertebrados competem com espécies nativas no uso de recursos e transmitem patógenos. Contudo as consequências da co-introdução de parasitos permanecem pouco estudadas. O pardal (Passer domesticus) foi introduzido há um século no Chile, porém não existem dados sobre seus parasitos. O objetivo do estudo foi investigar a fauna parasitária e avaliar se existem espécies co-introduzidas/co-invasivas compartilhadas com as espécies de aves nativas do Chile. Um total de 108 aves foram coletadas em diferentes localidades da região de Ñuble. Seis espécies de artrópodes parasitos foram coletadas de 23 (21,3%) aves. Quatro aves (3,7%) estavam parasitadas por duas espécies de helmintos. Quatro de um total de oito espécies de parasitos correspondem aos primeiros relatos para o Chile. Três artrópodes parasitos e o helminto Anonchotaenia globata são considerados parasitos co-introduzidos no país. Apenas A. globata possui potencial para ser considerada uma espécie co-invasiva, pois pode parasitar Passeriformes em geral. Pesquisas futuras devem investigar se os demais parasitos identificados neste estudo correspondem a espécies co-introduzidas ou co-invasoras e avaliar as possíveis consequências na saúde das aves nativas do país.(AU)

Assuntos

RESUMO

O objetivo deste estudo foi relatar as espécies de ácaros hematófagos parasitos de Passer domesticus (Linnaeus, 1758) e analisar os índices de infestação em relação ao gênero, massa corporal e comprimento total dos hospedeiros. Para isso, cada um dos 100 pardais capturados na área urbana de Pelotas, Rio Grande do Sul, Brasil, foi sexado, pesado e medido. A coleta dos ácaros foi realizada após aplicação de um talco repelente de ectoparasitos sobre o corpo das aves. Pellonyssus reedi ocorreu em 29 pardais com intensidade média de 8,37 ácaros/hospedeiro e Ornithonyssus bursa ocorreu em duas aves, somente um hospedeiro macho adulto apresentou co-infestação. A prevalência e intensidade média de infestação por P. reedi entre hospedeiros machos e fêmeas adultos não apresentou diferença significativa, também não houve correlação entre a abundância dessa espécie, massa corporal e comprimento total dos pardais. Relata-se a ocorrência de P. reedi e O. bursa parasitando P. domesticus no extremo sul do Brasil.

The aim of this study was to report the species of haematophagous parasitic mites of Passer domesticus (Linnaeus, 1758) and analyze the infestation rates regarding to gender, body mass, and total length of the hosts. To do so, each of the 100 house sparrows captured in the urban area of Pelotas, Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil, was identified by gender, weighed, and measured. The mite collection was carried out after applying an ectoparasite-repelling talc in the body of the birds. Pellonyssus reedi was found in 29 house sparrows with mean intensity of 8.37 mites/host and Ornithonyssus bursa was found in two birds, only one male host showing co-infestation. The prevalence and mean intensity of P. reedi between male and female adults did not show significant difference, nor was there any correlation among species abundance, body mass, and total length of the house sparrows. We report the occurrence of P. reedi and O. bursa parasitizing P. domesticus in the southern of Brazil.

Assuntos

RESUMO

O objetivo deste estudo foi relatar as espécies de ácaros hematófagos parasitos de Passer domesticus (Linnaeus, 1758) e analisar os índices de infestação em relação ao gênero, massa corporal e comprimento total dos hospedeiros. Para isso, cada um dos 100 pardais capturados na área urbana de Pelotas, Rio Grande do Sul, Brasil, foi sexado, pesado e medido. A coleta dos ácaros foi realizada após aplicação de um talco repelente de ectoparasitos sobre o corpo das aves. Pellonyssus reedi ocorreu em 29 pardais com intensidade média de 8,37 ácaros/hospedeiro e Ornithonyssus bursa ocorreu em duas aves, somente um hospedeiro macho adulto apresentou co-infestação. A prevalência e intensidade média de infestação por P. reedi entre hospedeiros machos e fêmeas adultos não apresentou diferença significativa, também não houve correlação entre a abundância dessa espécie, massa corporal e comprimento total dos pardais. Relata-se a ocorrência de P. reedi e O. bursa parasitando P. domesticus no extremo sul do Brasil.(AU)

The aim of this study was to report the species of haematophagous parasitic mites of Passer domesticus (Linnaeus, 1758) and analyze the infestation rates regarding to gender, body mass, and total length of the hosts. To do so, each of the 100 house sparrows captured in the urban area of Pelotas, Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil, was identified by gender, weighed, and measured. The mite collection was carried out after applying an ectoparasite-repelling talc in the body of the birds. Pellonyssus reedi was found in 29 house sparrows with mean intensity of 8.37 mites/host and Ornithonyssus bursa was found in two birds, only one male host showing co-infestation. The prevalence and mean intensity of P. reedi between male and female adults did not show significant difference, nor was there any correlation among species abundance, body mass, and total length of the house sparrows. We report the occurrence of P. reedi and O. bursa parasitizing P. domesticus in the southern of Brazil.(AU)

Assuntos

RESUMO

BACKGROUND: Parasite prevalence and diversity are determined by the distribution of hosts and vectors and by the interplay among a suite of environmental factors. Distributions of parasite lineages vary based on host susceptibility and geographical barriers. Hemoparasites of the genera Haemoproteus and Plasmodium have wide distributions, and high prevalence and genetic diversity within perching birds (Order Passeriformes). The rufous-collared sparrow (Zonotrichia capensis) is widely distributed in Central and South America across an immense diversity of environments from sea level to more than 4000 meters above sea level. It therefore provides an excellent model to investigate whether altitudinal and latitudinal gradients influence the distribution, prevalence and diversity of haemosporidian parasites, their population structure and the biogeographical boundaries of distinct parasite lineages. RESULTS: We assembled samples from 1317 rufous-collared sparrows spanning 75 locales from across Central and South America (between 9.5°N and 54°S; 10-4655 meters above sea level). We used DNA sequence data from a fragment of the mitochondrial cytochrome b gene (cytb) of Haemoproteus and Plasmodium from 325 positive samples and found prevalences of 22 and 3%, respectively. Haemoproteus exhibited a higher prevalence than Plasmodium but with comparatively lower genetic diversity. We detected a relationship of Plasmodium and Haemoproteus prevalence with altitude and latitude; however, altitude and latitude did not influence parasite diversity. CONCLUSIONS: Parasite lineages showed a phylogeographical boundary coincident with the Andes Mountains, although we also observed a north-south disjunction in Peru for Haemoproteus. Haemosporidian distribution was not homogeneous but differed based on latitude and altitude. This is most probably due to environmental factors that have influenced both vector distribution and abundance, as well as parasite development. Our study provides key insights on the distribution of haemoparasite lineages and parasite dynamics within hosts.

Assuntos

RESUMO

We report the occurrence and infection parameters of two species of nasal mites in Passer domesticus (Linnaeus, 1758) (house sparrow). Nasal passages, trachea, lungs, and air sacs of 100 house sparrows captured in an urban area at the city of Pelotas, State of Rio Grande do Sul, southern Brazil, were examined with a stereomicroscope. The mite, Sternostoma tracheacolum Lawrence, 1948 was present in the trachea and/or lungs (or both) of 13 birds (13%) at a mean intensity of 6.7 mites/infected host. Ptilonyssus hirsti (Castro & Pereira, 1947) was found in the nasal cavity of 1 sparrow (1%); coinfection was not observed in this bird. There was no significant difference in the prevalence and mean intensity of infection of S. tracheacolum between male and female birds. To our knowledge, this is the first study reporting the occurrence of S. tracheacolum in P. domesticus in Brazil and the presence of P. hirsti in P. domesticus from Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil. This is the first survey to provide the infection parameters of each of these mites in house sparrows.(AU)

O objetivo deste estudo foi relatar duas espécies de ácaros nasais parasitos do sistema respiratório de Passer domesticus (Linnaeus, 1758) (pardal) e seus respectivos índices parasitológicos. Para isso, foram examinados ao estereomicroscópio, cavidade nasal, traqueia, pulmão e sacos aéreos de 100 pardais capturados na área urbana de Pelotas, Rio Grande do Sul, Brasil. Sternostoma tracheacolum Lawrence, 1948 ocorreu na traqueia e/ou pulmão de 13 aves (13%) com intensidade média de 6,7 ácaros/hospedeiro infectado e Ptilonyssus hirsti (Castro & Pereira, 1947) na cavidade nasal de um único pardal (1%), não havendo coinfecção. A prevalência e intensidade média de infecção por S. tracheacolum entre hospedeiros machos e fêmeas não apresentou diferença significativa. Este relato caracteriza o primeiro registro de S. tracheacolum parasitando P. domesticus no Brasil e de P. hirsti em pardais no RS, Brasil, e seus respectivos índices de infecção.(AU)

Assuntos

RESUMO

Abstract We report the occurrence and infection parameters of two species of nasal mites in Passer domesticus (Linnaeus, 1758) (house sparrow). Nasal passages, trachea, lungs, and air sacs of 100 house sparrows captured in an urban area at the city of Pelotas, State of Rio Grande do Sul, southern Brazil, were examined with a stereomicroscope. The mite, Sternostoma tracheacolum Lawrence, 1948 was present in the trachea and/or lungs (or both) of 13 birds (13%) at a mean intensity of 6.7 mites/infected host. Ptilonyssus hirsti (Castro & Pereira, 1947) was found in the nasal cavity of 1 sparrow (1%); coinfection was not observed in this bird. There was no significant difference in the prevalence and mean intensity of infection of S. tracheacolum between male and female birds. To our knowledge, this is the first study reporting the occurrence of S. tracheacolum in P. domesticus in Brazil and the presence of P. hirsti in P. domesticus from Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil. This is the first survey to provide the infection parameters of each of these mites in house sparrows.

Resumo O objetivo deste estudo foi relatar duas espécies de ácaros nasais parasitos do sistema respiratório de Passer domesticus (Linnaeus, 1758) (pardal) e seus respectivos índices parasitológicos. Para isso, foram examinados ao estereomicroscópio, cavidade nasal, traqueia, pulmão e sacos aéreos de 100 pardais capturados na área urbana de Pelotas, Rio Grande do Sul, Brasil. Sternostoma tracheacolum Lawrence, 1948 ocorreu na traqueia e/ou pulmão de 13 aves (13%) com intensidade média de 6,7 ácaros/hospedeiro infectado e Ptilonyssus hirsti (Castro & Pereira, 1947) na cavidade nasal de um único pardal (1%), não havendo coinfecção. A prevalência e intensidade média de infecção por S. tracheacolum entre hospedeiros machos e fêmeas não apresentou diferença significativa. Este relato caracteriza o primeiro registro de S. tracheacolum parasitando P. domesticus no Brasil e de P. hirsti em pardais no RS, Brasil, e seus respectivos índices de infecção.

Assuntos

RESUMO

We report the occurrence and infection parameters of two species of nasal mites in Passer domesticus (Linnaeus, 1758) (house sparrow). Nasal passages, trachea, lungs, and air sacs of 100 house sparrows captured in an urban area at the city of Pelotas, State of Rio Grande do Sul, southern Brazil, were examined with a stereomicroscope. The mite, Sternostoma tracheacolum Lawrence, 1948 was present in the trachea and/or lungs (or both) of 13 birds (13%) at a mean intensity of 6.7 mites/infected host. Ptilonyssus hirsti (Castro & Pereira, 1947) was found in the nasal cavity of 1 sparrow (1%); coinfection was not observed in this bird. There was no significant difference in the prevalence and mean intensity of infection of S. tracheacolum between male and female birds. To our knowledge, this is the first study reporting the occurrence of S. tracheacolum in P. domesticus in Brazil and the presence of P. hirsti in P. domesticus from Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil. This is the first survey to provide the infection parameters of each of these mites in house sparrows.

Assuntos

RESUMO

A total of 277 rufous-collared sparrows, Zonotrichia capensis Müller, 1776 (Emberizidae), were examined for external parasites. The birds were captured using mist nets in seven locations in northern and central Chile. Additionally, seven carcasses from central Chile (the Biobío region) were necropsied to evaluate the presence of endoparasite infection. Ectoparasites were found on 35.8% (99/277) of the examined birds and they were represented by the following arthropods: feather mites Amerodectes zonotrichiae Mironov and González-Acuña, 2014 (Analgoidea: Proctophyllodidae), Proctophyllodes polyxenus Atyeo and Braasch, 1966 (Analgoidea: Proctophyllodidae), and Trouessartia capensis Berla, 1959 (Analgoidea: Trouessartiidae); a louse Philopterus sp. (Phthiraptera: Ischnocera); and ticks Amblyomma tigrinum Koch, 1844 (Acari: Ixodidae) and Ixodes auritulus Neumann, 1904 (Acari: Ixodidae). Two of the seven necropsied carcasses were infected with the acanthocephalan Mediorhynchus papillosus Van Cleave, 1916 (Gigantorhynchida: Gigantorhynchidae). To our knowledge, this study reports P. polyxenus, Philopterus sp., A. tigrinum, and M. papillosus for the first time for Z. capensis and expands the distributional range for T. capensis to Chile.

Assuntos

RESUMO

Abstract A total of 277 rufous-collared sparrows, Zonotrichia capensis Müller, 1776 (Emberizidae), were examined for external parasites. The birds were captured using mist nets in seven locations in northern and central Chile. Additionally, seven carcasses from central Chile (the Biobío region) were necropsied to evaluate the presence of endoparasite infection. Ectoparasites were found on 35.8% (99/277) of the examined birds and they were represented by the following arthropods: feather mites Amerodectes zonotrichiae Mironov and González-Acuña, 2014 (Analgoidea: Proctophyllodidae), Proctophyllodes polyxenus Atyeo and Braasch, 1966 (Analgoidea: Proctophyllodidae), and Trouessartia capensis Berla, 1959 (Analgoidea: Trouessartiidae); a louse Philopterus sp. (Phthiraptera: Ischnocera); and ticks Amblyomma tigrinum Koch, 1844 (Acari: Ixodidae) and Ixodes auritulus Neumann, 1904 (Acari: Ixodidae). Two of the seven necropsied carcasses were infected with the acanthocephalan Mediorhynchus papillosus Van Cleave, 1916 (Gigantorhynchida: Gigantorhynchidae). To our knowledge, this study reports P. polyxenus, Philopterus sp., A. tigrinum, and M. papillosus for the first time for Z. capensis and expands the distributional range for T. capensis to Chile.

Resumo Um total de 277 tico-tico Zonotrichia capensis Müller, 1776 (Emberizidae) foram examinados em busca de ectoparasitos. As aves foram capturadas com redes em sete localidades do norte e centro do Chile. Além disso, sete carcaças do centro Chile (Região de Biobío) foram examinadas para avaliar a infecção por endoparasitos. Ectoparasitos foram encontrados em 35,8% (99/277) das aves examinadas com a identificação dos ácaros Amerodectes zonotrichiae Mironov and González-Acuña, 2014 (Analgoidea: Proctophyllodidae), Proctophyllodes polyxenus Atyeo and Braasch, 1966 (Analgoidea: Proctophyllodidae) e Trouessartia capensis Berla, 1959 (Analgoidea: Trouessartiidae), piolho Philopterus sp. (Phthiraptera: Ischnocera) e carrapatos Amblyomma tigrinum Koch, 1844 (Acari: Ixodidea) e Ixodes auritulus Neumann, 1904 (Acari: Ixodidea). Duas das sete carcaças examinadas foram infectadas com o Acantocephala Mediorhynchus papillosus Van Cleave, 1916 (Gigantorhynchida: Gigantorhynchidae). Para o nosso conhecimento, este é o primeiro estudo para descrever P. polyxenus, Philopterus sp., A. tigrinum e M. papillosus em Z. capensis e expande a distribuição de T. capensis ao Chile.

Assuntos

RESUMO

To date it is not well-understood how seasonality and human-induced habitat change may affect haemosporidian prevalence and parasitaemia in bird hosts in dryland habitats. We compared haemosporidian prevalence and parasitaemia between habitat types, including Yucca-dominated scrublands (closed habitat) and creosotebush scrublands (open habitat), and between seasons, including non-breeding (dry) and breeding (wet) in the Black-throated sparrow (Amphispiza bilineata) at semi-arid scrublands of Central Mexico. This bird species has different habitat preferences in comparison to other, previously studied species in the region; it shows higher abundances in open than in closed habitats and avoids urban areas. Overall haemosporidian prevalence was 22.1%. Prevalence and parasitaemia were higher for Haemoproteus sp. (Parahaemoproteus sp.) than Plasmodium. Variation in haemoparasitism was not associated with habitat type. This response differs from the previously recorded response in other bird species in the region for which haemoparasitism increases with increasing habitat degradation. Seasonality seems to be the most important driver of parasite infection for this sparrow as prevalence and parasitaemia were higher during the breeding than the non-breeding season. Two new lineages of Haemoproteus sp. that had not been reported before in any avian species were found through molecular diagnosis. A high diversity of haemosporidian lineages is shared among sites. More study is needed to understand the mechanisms that associate parasitaemia, prevalence, and specific environmental factors.

Assuntos

RESUMO

The study of myiasis is important because they may cause problems to the livestock industry, public health, or wildlife conservation. The ecology of parasitic dipterans that cause myiasis is singular, as they actively seek their hosts over relatively long distances. However, studies that address the determinants of myiasis dynamics are very scarce. The genus Philornis include species that may be excellent models to study myiasis ecology, as they exclusively parasitize bird nestlings, which stay in their nests until they are fully fledged, and larvae remain at the point of entry until the parasitic stage is over, thus allowing the collection of sequential individual-level infection data from virtually all the hosts present at a particular area. Here we offer a stratified multi-level analysis of longitudinal data of Philornis torquans parasitism in replicated forest bird communities of central Argentina. Using Generalized Linear Models and Generalized Linear Mixed Models and an information theory approach for model selection, we conducted four groups of analyses, each with a different study unit, the individual, the brood, the community at a given week, and the community at a given year. The response variable was larval abundance per nestling or mean abundance per nestling. At each level, models included the variables of interest of that particular level, and also potential confounders and effect modifiers of higher levels. We found associations of large magnitude at all levels, but only few variables truly governed the dynamics of this parasite. At the individual level, the infection was determined by the species and the age of the host. The main driver of parasite abundance at the microhabitat level was the average height of the forest, and at the community level, the density of hosts and prior rainfall. This multi-level approach contributed to a better understanding of the ecology of myiasis.

Assuntos

RESUMO

Environmental heterogeneity largely dictates the spatial distributions of parasites and therefore the susceptibility to infection of host populations. We surveyed avian malaria infections in Rufous-collared sparrows (Zonotrichia capensis) across replicated altitudinal and latitudinal transects along the western slope of the Peruvian Andes to assess geographic patterns of prevalence. We found malaria infection prevalence peaked at midelevations along all 3 altitudinal transects (x ≈ 2,733 m), with highest overall prevalence observed in the northern transect. We observed low levels of malarial parasite diversity, with 94% of infected birds carrying a single Haemoproteus (subgenus Parahaemoproteus) strain. The remaining infected birds harbored either a single alternate Haemoproteus or 1 of 2 Plasmodium strains. Our data suggest that temperature and precipitation are the primary drivers of the spatial patterns in avian malaria prevalence along the western slope of the Andes.

Assuntos

RESUMO

The yellow cardinal (Gubernatrix cristata) is a passerine found in southern Brazil, especially along the border with Uruguay and Argentina. It is an endangered species and its population is decreasing. Among the parasites that affect passerines, the genus Isospora is the most easily found in both captive and free-living birds. This parasite commonly causes injury to the intestinal tissue and could occasionally affect other organs. In this work we examined the occurrence of coccidiosis in captive yellow cardinals and its association with factors such as sex, use of parasiticides, type of enclosure, contact with feces, type of food and cleaning frequency. We collected fecal samples of 45 yellow cardinals, healthy and kept in captivity, in late afternoon at the end of the reproductive period. The examination showed parasitic infection by Isospora bocamontensis in 44.5% of the birds. This infection is not influenced by the sex of birds, but is significantly affected by the type of enclosure, contact with the feces, use of parasiticides, type of food and cleaning frequency. The results indicate that to keep yellow cardinals captive, these factors must be observed.

O cardeal-amarelo (Gubernatrix cristata) é um pássaro que ocorre no sul do Brasil, principalmente na fronteira com Uruguai e Argentina. É uma ave ameaçada de extinção e sua população está decrescendo. Dentre, os parasitas que afetam a ordem Passeriformes, o gênero Isospora está entre o mais encontrado, tanto em aves de cativeiro quanto em aves de vida-livre. Comumente causam injúrias no tecido intestinal, podendo ocasionalmente afetar outros órgãos. Neste trabalho examinamos a ocorrência de coccidiose em cardeais mantidos em cativeiro e verificamos sua associação com fatores como sexo, uso de produtos parasiticidas, tipo de recinto, contato com fezes, tipo de alimentação e frequência de limpeza. Foram coletadas amostras de fezes, ao entardecer, de 45 cardeais-amarelos, hígidos, mantidos em cativeiro, no final do período reprodutivo. O exame coproparasitológico revelou infecção parasitária por Isospora bocamontensis, em 44,5% das aves. Esta infecção não é influenciada pelo sexo das aves, mas é significativamente afetada pelo tipo de recinto, contato com as fezes, uso de parasiticidas, tipo de alimentação e frequência de limpeza. Indicando que para a manutenção em cativeiro estes fatores devem ser observados.

Assuntos

RESUMO

The yellow cardinal (Gubernatrix cristata) is a passerine found in southern Brazil, especially along the border with Uruguay and Argentina. It is an endangered species and its population is decreasing. Among the parasites that affect passerines, the genus Isospora is the most easily found in both captive and free-living birds. This parasite commonly causes injury to the intestinal tissue and could occasionally affect other organs. In this work we examined the occurrence of coccidiosis in captive yellow cardinals and its association with factors such as sex, use of parasiticides, type of enclosure, contact with feces, type of food and cleaning frequency. We collected fecal samples of 45 yellow cardinals, healthy and kept in captivity, in late afternoon at the end of the reproductive period. The examination showed parasitic infection by Isospora bocamontensis in 44.5% of the birds. This infection is not influenced by the sex of birds, but is significantly affected by the type of enclosure, contact with the feces, use of parasiticides, type of food and cleaning frequency. The results indicate that to keep yellow cardinals captive, these factors must be observed.(AU)

O cardeal-amarelo (Gubernatrix cristata) é um pássaro que ocorre no sul do Brasil, principalmente na fronteira com Uruguai e Argentina. É uma ave ameaçada de extinção e sua população está decrescendo. Dentre, os parasitas que afetam a ordem Passeriformes, o gênero Isospora está entre o mais encontrado, tanto em aves de cativeiro quanto em aves de vida-livre. Comumente causam injúrias no tecido intestinal, podendo ocasionalmente afetar outros órgãos. Neste trabalho examinamos a ocorrência de coccidiose em cardeais mantidos em cativeiro e verificamos sua associação com fatores como sexo, uso de produtos parasiticidas, tipo de recinto, contato com fezes, tipo de alimentação e frequência de limpeza. Foram coletadas amostras de fezes, ao entardecer, de 45 cardeais-amarelos, hígidos, mantidos em cativeiro, no final do período reprodutivo. O exame coproparasitológico revelou infecção parasitária por Isospora bocamontensis, em 44,5% das aves. Esta infecção não é influenciada pelo sexo das aves, mas é significativamente afetada pelo tipo de recinto, contato com as fezes, uso de parasiticidas, tipo de alimentação e frequência de limpeza. Indicando que para a manutenção em cativeiro estes fatores devem ser observados.(AU)

Assuntos

RESUMO

Birds are known to respond to nest-dwelling parasites by altering behaviours. Some bird species, for example, bring fresh plants to the nest, which contain volatile compounds that repel parasites. There is evidence that some birds living in cities incorporate cigarette butts into their nests, but the effect (if any) of this behaviour remains unclear. Butts from smoked cigarettes retain substantial amounts of nicotine and other compounds that may also act as arthropod repellents. We provide the first evidence that smoked cigarette butts may function as a parasite repellent in urban bird nests. The amount of cellulose acetate from butts in nests of two widely distributed urban birds was negatively associated with the number of nest-dwelling parasites. Moreover, when parasites were attracted to heat traps containing smoked or non-smoked cigarette butts, fewer parasites reached the former, presumably due to the presence of nicotine. Because urbanization changes the abundance and type of resources upon which birds depend, including nesting materials and plants involved in self-medication, our results are consistent with the view that urbanization imposes new challenges on birds that are dealt with using adaptations evolved elsewhere.

Assuntos

RESUMO

The aim of this study was to research the occurrence of Salmonella spp. and Escherichia coli in feces samples of sparrows, as well as to identify the pathogenicity, cytotoxicity and sensitivity profile of the isolates to antimicrobial use. Two hundred and twenty eight sparrows were captured in eight farms. The in vitro pathogenicity test was performed by the isolates culture on congo red-magnesium oxalate Agar, whilst the in vivo pathogenicity test was performed in one day-old chicks. In order to study the cytotoxic effects of indicators, samples were inoculated into Vero cells. The results obtained for Escherichia coli isolation confirmed the presence of this microorganism in 30 (13.2%) of the evaluated samples. Out of those isolates, 10 (33.3%) presented the capacity of absorbing ongo red. As for in vivo pathogenicity a 68.0% of mortality rate of the evaluated samples was observed. Out of 20 isolates tested for cytotoxin production, none of them presented cytotoxic effect in the Vero cells. The Salmonella spp was isolated only in one sample (0.04%), and it was identified as Salmonella enterica subspecies houtenae. Results obtained through this research indicate the need for new studies to identify other virulence factors of E. coli samples and to delineate the phylogenetic profile of the isolates in order to establish a relation with colibacillosis outbreaks in chickens and broilers in the studied region, as well as to analyze the critical points in the aviculture productive chain to identify the source of Salmonella enterica subspecies houtenae.

Objetivou-se com este estudo pesquisar a ocorrência de Salmonella spp. e Escherichia coli em amostras de fezes de pardais, além de avaliar a patogenicidade, citotoxicidade e perfil de sensibilidade dos isolados frente a antimicrobianos. Foram capturados 228 pardais em oito granjas. O teste de patogenicidade in vitro foi realizado por meio do cultivo dos isolados em ágar oxalato de magnésio acrescido de vermelho de congo, enquanto o teste de patogenicidade in vivo foi realizado em pintos de um dia. Para o estudo dos indicadores dos efeitos citotóxicos, as amostras foram inoculadas em células Vero. Os resultados obtidos quanto ao isolamento de Escherichia coli confirmaram a presença deste microorganismo em 30 (13,2%) amostras analisadas. Destes isolados, dez (33,3%) apresentaram capacidade de absorção do vermelho congo. Quanto à patogenicidade in vivo observou-se uma taxa de mortalidade de 68,0% das amostras analisadas. Dos 20 isolados testados quanto à produção de citotoxina, nenhum apresentou efeito citotóxico nas células Vero. Obteve-se o isolamento de Salmonella spp. em apenas uma amostra (0,04%), sendo tipificada em Salmonella enterica subespécie houtenae. Os resultados obtidos nesta pesquisa indicam a necessidade da realização de novos estudos para identificar outros fatores de virulência das amostras de E. coli e traçar o perfil filogenético dos isolados para estabelecer uma relação com surtos de colibacilose em galinhas e frango de corte na região estudada, além de analisar os pontos críticos na cadeia produtiva da avicultura para identificar a origem da Salmonella enterica subespécie houtenae.

Assuntos

RESUMO

The aim of this study was to research the occurrence of Salmonella spp. and Escherichia coli in feces samples of sparrows, as well as to identify the pathogenicity, cytotoxicity and sensitivity profile of the isolates to antimicrobial use. Two hundred and twenty eight sparrows were captured in eight farms. The in vitro pathogenicity test was performed by the isolates culture on congo red-magnesium oxalate Agar, whilst the in vivo pathogenicity test was performed in one day-old chicks. In order to study the cytotoxic effects of indicators, samples were inoculated into Vero cells. The results obtained for Escherichia coli isolation confirmed the presence of this microorganism in 30 (13.2%) of the evaluated samples. Out of those isolates, 10 (33.3%) presented the capacity of absorbing ongo red. As for in vivo pathogenicity a 68.0% of mortality rate of the evaluated samples was observed. Out of 20 isolates tested for cytotoxin production, none of them presented cytotoxic effect in the Vero cells. The Salmonella spp was isolated only in one sample (0.04%), and it was identified as Salmonella enterica subspecies houtenae. Results obtained through this research indicate the need for new studies to identify other virulence factors of E. coli samples and to delineate the phylogenetic profile of the isolates in order to establish a relation with colibacillosis outbreaks in chickens and broilers in the studied region, as well as to analyze the critical points in the aviculture productive chain to identify the source of Salmonella enterica subspecies houtenae.(AU)

Objetivou-se com este estudo pesquisar a ocorrência de Salmonella spp. e Escherichia coli em amostras de fezes de pardais, além de avaliar a patogenicidade, citotoxicidade e perfil de sensibilidade dos isolados frente a antimicrobianos. Foram capturados 228 pardais em oito granjas. O teste de patogenicidade in vitro foi realizado por meio do cultivo dos isolados em ágar oxalato de magnésio acrescido de vermelho de congo, enquanto o teste de patogenicidade in vivo foi realizado em pintos de um dia. Para o estudo dos indicadores dos efeitos citotóxicos, as amostras foram inoculadas em células Vero. Os resultados obtidos quanto ao isolamento de Escherichia coli confirmaram a presença deste microorganismo em 30 (13,2%) amostras analisadas. Destes isolados, dez (33,3%) apresentaram capacidade de absorção do vermelho congo. Quanto à patogenicidade in vivo observou-se uma taxa de mortalidade de 68,0% das amostras analisadas. Dos 20 isolados testados quanto à produção de citotoxina, nenhum apresentou efeito citotóxico nas células Vero. Obteve-se o isolamento de Salmonella spp. em apenas uma amostra (0,04%), sendo tipificada em Salmonella enterica subespécie houtenae. Os resultados obtidos nesta pesquisa indicam a necessidade da realização de novos estudos para identificar outros fatores de virulência das amostras de E. coli e traçar o perfil filogenético dos isolados para estabelecer uma relação com surtos de colibacilose em galinhas e frango de corte na região estudada, além de analisar os pontos críticos na cadeia produtiva da avicultura para identificar a origem da Salmonella enterica subespécie houtenae.(AU)

Assuntos