Parasitic fauna of Canary Islands kestrel (Falco tinnunculus canariensis): First approach and bibliographical review

Abstract

In the Canary Islands there is a small species of bird of prey called the Common Kestrel (Falco tinnunculus canariensis), these specimens are distributed almost all over the world and have various subspecies; there is a marked sexual dimorphism, and they are capable of nesting in difficult places such as cities. A total of 14 animals were collected by the laboratory of Parasitology of the Veterinary Faculty to examine the carcasses and identify the parasites that can compromise their survival in the environment. To provide knowledge of these less studied species in our environment, we will try to provide data on the parasites that will help in the knowledge of their biology. Animals were donated by the Wildlife Recovery Centre (WRC) in Tafira during the years 2019-2020, and a regulated necropsy was carried out using biometric parameters and coprological concentration analyses to identify the parasites. Results showed 11 positive cases for parasites: Centrorhynchus spp. 72.7% (8/11); Procyrnea spp. 72.7% (8/11) Caryospora falconis oocysts 36.4% (4/11); Brachylaima fuscata 1% (1/11), Capillaria spp. 9.1% (1/11), Synhimantus (Synhimantus) spp. 18.2% (2/11) and Synhimantus (Dyspharynx) nasuta 36.4% (4/11). A bibliographic review of the parasites affecting this species was carried out and compared with the data obtained in this study, where different species of parasites commonly found in Falco tinnunculus canariensis were observed with respect to their closest relatives