Insights from common buzzard broods on the interaction between Leucocytozoon infection, watercourse habitats and simuliid blackfly vectors.

ABSTRACT: Blood parasites of the genus Leucocytozoon commonly infect many bird species worldwide and are particularly prevalent in birds of prey. As a vector-borne parasitic disease, the infection occurrence overlaps with that of the dominant vectors: blackflies (Diptera, Simuliidae). These blood-sucking insects are dependent on habitats with flowing freshwaters for the development of their larval stages. We investigated the correlation between the proximity to flowing waters and Leucocytozoon infection probability in common buzzard (Buteo buteo) broods, as well as the occurrence of adult blackflies directly at the nests. In addition, we investigated the survival of captured simuliids in relation to host infection intensity. In total in 2019, we examined 112 different nests, inc

SUBMITTER: Wiegmann A 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC11389542 | biostudies-literature | 2024 Dec

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature