Determinants of external and blood parasite load in African penguins (Spheniscus demersus) admitted for rehabilitation.

ABSTRACT: We investigate the factors associated with the occurrence and abundance of external and blood parasites in African penguins (Spheniscus demersus), an endangered seabird that breeds exclusively on the coasts of Namibia and South Africa. External parasites were collected using the dust-ruffling method from 171 African Penguins admitted at a rehabilitation facility in the Western Cape, South Africa. Additionally, blood smears were obtained upon admission and weekly during rehabilitation and examined for blood parasites. Fleas Parapsyllus longicornis humboldti, ticks Ornithodoros capensis and lice Austrogoniodes demersus were recovered from 93, 63 and 40%, respectively, of the penguins upon admission to the centre. Rescue location and age group were identified as significant determinants of fl

SUBMITTER: Snyman A 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC10317652 | biostudies-literature | 2020 Apr

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature