Parasites found in Turdus merula cabrerae in the Canary Islands

Abstract

Turdus merula cabrerae is a subspecies of blackbird that inhabits the Canary Islands. Other different species of the genus can be found through Europe, part of Asia and Africa, being introduced in New Zealand and Australia. It has a great capacity for adaptation, so it can be found in different habitats (ravines, cities, forest, etc.). Accordingly, in the Canary Islands, it is quite widespread and inhabits different ecosystems. In the present study, a total of 29 blackbird dead at the TWRC (Tafira Wildlife Recovery Centre) were analyzed for the presence of parasite by different methods, including direct observation at necropsy, flotation, washing of different systems and further flotation and subsequent microscopical examination. The following parasites were found in the blackbirds: Plagiorhynchus spp. (51.67%), Eimeria/Isospora spp. (34.48%), Bruelia merulensis (20.69%), acanthocephala eggs (13.79%), cestode eggs (13.79%), Menacanthus spp. (10.34%), Torotrogla merulae (10.34%), Dermanyssus gallinae (6.89%), Dilepis undula (6.89%), Capillaria spp. 6.89%), Morishitium polonicum (3.44%), Syngamus merulae (3.44%), Ornithocheyletia pingus (3.44%), Ixodes spp. (3.44%), trematode eggs (3.44%) and nematode eggs (3.44%). In general, the degree of parasitation was from moderate to high and all the parasites found have been previously describe in other studies carried out in different subspecies of blackbirds, but with a variable frequency. Further studies are need to investigate the presence of parasites in blackbirds in other islands of Macaronesia, or even other birds paying special attention to those of zoonotic potential.