<i>Crataerina melbae</i> louse flies are competent vectors of <i>Trypanosoma</i> sp. associated with nestling mortality in Alpine swifts (<i>Tachymarptis melba</i>).

ABSTRACT: Hippoboscidae diptera or louse flies are widely distributed blood-feeding ectoparasites that can transmit blood parasites to their host. Four species are recognized within the Crataerina genus, which are parasites of the bird orders Apodiformes and Passeriformes. Alpine swifts (Tachymarptis melba) are frequently parasitized by Crataerina louse flies during the nesting season. In Switzerland, an increase in Alpine swift nestling mortality has been associated with a Trypanosoma sp. infection. In this study, fixed and native specimens of Craterina louse-flies collected from Swiss Alpine swifts were analysed to reveal the species identity based on morphotypes and PCR-sequencing, and examined for the presence of Trypanosoma sp. using microscopy and PCR.

SUBMITTER: More G 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12703975 | biostudies-literature | 2025 Dec

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature