Blood Parasites in Rock Ptarmigan from Eagle Summit, Alaska

Stabler, Robert M.; Kitzmiller, Nancy J.; Weeden, Robert B.

doi:10.2307/3276699

Cited by 7 publications

(15 citation statements)

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“…One notable exception was the remarkably high prevalence of Haemoproteus (98.0%) in grouse from the southwestern region, where Leucocytozoon infection in this species group was relatively rare (2.0%; Table 2 ). Stabler et al. (1967a) also detected substantially higher prevalence of Haemoproteus parasites in Spruce Grouse sampled from Lake Aleknagik, which is near where the majority of our southwestern samples originated, than from Spruce Grouse collected on the Kenai Peninsula of Alaska.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 54%

“…Early microscopic studies from North America determined that most tetraonid species were infected by at least one genus of haemosporidian parasite, with many individuals showing diverse infections of multiple parasite genera at moderate to high prevalence ( Fallis, 1945 , Stabler et al., 1967a , Stabler et al., 1967b , Bennett and Inder, 1972 , Mahrt, 1981 , Forbes et al., 1994 ). Although research on haemosporidian infections in Alaskan tetraonids has been extremely limited, two historical studies focused on grouse and ptarmigan species within specific regions of the state.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Although research on haemosporidian infections in Alaskan tetraonids has been extremely limited, two historical studies focused on grouse and ptarmigan species within specific regions of the state. Stabler et al. (1967a) sampled Rock Ptarmigan in interior Alaska using microscopy and found 88% prevalence of Leucocytozoon parasites and no evidence of Haemoproteus or Plasmodium infection.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Haemosporidian parasite infections in grouse and ptarmigan: Prevalence and genetic diversity of blood parasites in resident Alaskan birds

Smith

Hemert

Merizon

2016

International Journal for Parasitology: Parasites and Wildlife

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Projections related to future climate warming indicate the potential for an increase in the distribution and prevalence of blood parasites in northern regions. However, baseline data are lacking for resident avian host species in Alaska. Grouse and ptarmigan occupy a diverse range of habitat types throughout the northern hemisphere and are among the most well-known and important native game birds in North America. Information regarding the prevalence and diversity of haemosporidian parasites in tetraonid species is limited, with few recent studies and an almost complete lack of genetic data. To better understand the genetic diversity of haemosporidian parasites in Alaskan tetraonids and to determine current patterns of geographic range and host specificity, we used molecular methods to screen 459 tissue samples collected from grouse and ptarmigan species across multiple regions of Alaska for infection by Leucocytozoon, Haemoproteus, and Plasmodium blood parasites. Infections were detected in 342 individuals, with overall apparent prevalence of 53% for Leucocytozoon, 21% for Haemoproteus, and 9% for Plasmodium. Parasite prevalence varied by region, with different patterns observed between species groups (grouse versus ptarmigan). Leucocytozoon was more common in ptarmigan, whereas Haemoproteus was more common in grouse. We detected Plasmodium infections in grouse only. Analysis of haemosporidian mitochondrial DNA cytochrome b sequences revealed 23 unique parasite haplotypes, several of which were identical to lineages previously detected in other avian hosts. Phylogenetic analysis showed close relationships between haplotypes from our study and those identified in Alaskan waterfowl for Haemoproteus and Plasmodium parasites. In contrast, Leucocytozoon lineages were structured strongly by host family. Our results provide some of the first genetic data for haemosporidians in grouse and ptarmigan species, and provide an initial baseline on the prevalence and diversity of blood parasites in a group of northern host species.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 54%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

See 1 more Smart Citation

Haemosporidian parasite infections in grouse and ptarmigan: Prevalence and genetic diversity of blood parasites in resident Alaskan birds

Smith

Hemert

Merizon

2016

International Journal for Parasitology: Parasites and Wildlife

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“…In Alaska, 144 (90%) of 162 rock ptarmigan were infected with L. lovati (Stabler et al, 1967) and a similarly high prevalence (89%) of infection was observed among the birds in this study at Mt. Tateyama and Mt.…”

mentioning

confidence: 70%

“…Leucocytozoon lovati is a common parasite of birds belonging to the Tetraoninae and has a Holarctic distribution (Bennett et al, 1991). Infections have been reported in red grouse (Lagopus lagopus scoticus), sage grouse (Centrocercus urophasianus), ruffed grouse (Bonasa umbellus), black grouse (Tetrao tetrix), blue grouse (Dendragapus obscurus), western capercaillie (Tetrao urogallus), willow ptarmigan (Lagopus lagopus), as well as rock ptarmigan (Lagopus mutus) (Sambon, 1908;Fantham, 1910;Clarke, 1935;Stabler et al, 1967;Bennett et al, 1991;Forbes et al, 1994;Dunbar et al, 2003;Holmstad et al, 2003).…”

mentioning

confidence: 99%

Leucocytozoon lovati Infections in Wild Rock Ptarmigan (Lagopus mutus) in Japan

Hagihara

Yamaguchi

Kitahara³

et al. 2004

Journal of Wildlife Diseases

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Leucocytozoon lovati infections were detected in free-flying rock ptarmigan (Lagopus mutus), an endangered species that inhabits alpine areas in Japan. Eight of nine adult birds tested positive for L. lovati infection. For comparison, two captive rock ptarmigans hatched in a breeding facility at the foot of the mountains were examined. Both were negative for L. lovati infection. This is the first report of L. lovati infection in the rock ptarmigan in Japan.

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