Coccidian Parasites and Conservation Implications for the Endangered Whooping Crane (Grus americana).

ABSTRACT: While the population of endangered whooping cranes (Grus americana) has grown from 15 individuals in 1941 to an estimated 304 birds today, the population growth is not sufficient to support a down-listing of the species to threatened status. The degree to which disease may be limiting the population growth of whooping cranes is unknown. One disease of potential concern is caused by two crane-associated Eimeria species: Eimeria gruis and E. reichenowi. Unlike most species of Eimeria, which are localized to the intestinal tract, these crane-associated species may multiply systemically and cause a potentially fatal disease. Using a non-invasive sampling approach, we assessed the prevalence and phenology of Eimeria oocysts in whooping crane fecal samples collected across two winter seasons (No

SUBMITTER: Bertram MR 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC4464527 | biostudies-literature | 2015

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature