title: Identification of blood parasites in old world warbler species from the Danube River Delta.
abstract: Warbler species of the families Sylviidae and Acrocephalidae occurring in the Danube river delta are frequently exposed to blood-sucking arthropods that transmit avian blood parasites. We investigated infections by three genera of hemosporidian parasites in blood samples from six warbler species. Altogether in 17 (32.6%) of 52 blood samples, a PCR product was amplified. The great reed warbler (Acrocephalus arundinaceus) had the highest prevalence, with 63.6% (7/11) infected individuals, whereas no infection was detected in marsh warbler (Acrocephalus palustris). The most common parasite genus was Haemoproteus, which was found in 15.4% (8/52) of individuals. Seven known parasite lineages (five Haemoproteus and two Plasmodium) and two new lineages were recorded (one Leucocytozoon and one Plasmodium).
authors.affiliation: Department of Zoology and Laboratory of Ornithology, Faculty of Science, Palacky University, Tr. Svobody 26, CZ-771 46 Olomouc, Czech Republic. alesvoboda@centrum.cz
authors.forename: Ales
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Svoboda
authors.forename: Gunnhild
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Marthinsen
authors.forename: Lucia
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Turcoková
authors.forename: Jan T
authors.initials: JT
authors.lastname: Lifjeld
authors.forename: Arild
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Johnsen
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D016782:Apicomplexa / Q000302:isolation & purification; D001715:Bird Diseases / Q000097:blood / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000469:parasitology*; D017753:Ecosystem; D005858:Germany / Q000453:epidemiology; D010273:Parasitic Diseases, Animal / Q000097:blood / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000469:parasitology*; D046109:Passeriformes; D015995:Prevalence; D011528:Protozoan Infections / Q000097:blood / Q000453:epidemiology*; D045483:Rivers