Ecologic Drivers and Population Impacts of Avian Trichomonosis Mortality Events in Band-Tailed Pigeons (Patagioenas Fasciata) in California, Usa

Rogers, Krysta H.; Girard, Yvette A.; Koenig, Walter D.; Johnson, Christine K.

doi:10.7589/2015-02-029

Cited by 8 publications

(18 citation statements)

References 19 publications

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“…Fig. 1A–C shows the locations of spotted owls with avian trichomonosis in relation to counties with band-tailed pigeon mortality events reported here and previously investigated (Girard et al., 2014b, Rogers et al., 2016). …”

Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Avian trichomonosis epidemics in band-tailed pigeons have been documented in California since the mid-1940s and have been reported with increasing frequency in recent years with nearly annual winter events contributing to long-term population decline (Rogers et al., 2016). In some cases, epidemics in band-tailed pigeons may go undetected when occurring in relatively remote areas or when smaller numbers of pigeons are involved.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…In California, avian trichomonosis mortality events have been documented in mourning doves and band-tailed pigeons (Cole, 1999, Girard et al., 2014b, Rogers et al., 2016, Stromberg et al., 2008). Events in mourning doves typically occur during the spring and summer and are frequently associated with artificial feeding sources in urban and suburban areas (Stabler and Herman, 1951) which may result in infection in both adult raptors and their young when feeding on infected doves in these areas.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Events in mourning doves typically occur during the spring and summer and are frequently associated with artificial feeding sources in urban and suburban areas (Stabler and Herman, 1951) which may result in infection in both adult raptors and their young when feeding on infected doves in these areas. Events in band-tailed pigeons occur most commonly in winter when almost the entire population of Pacific Coast band-tailed pigeons is over-wintering from central to southern California, forming large flocks enabling the disease to more easily spread between individual birds at communal watering sites in mostly rural areas (Rogers et al., 2016). Avian trichomonosis mortality events have been documented in band-tailed pigeons since the mid-1940s and are an important factor in their decline (Rogers et al., 2016).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Events in band-tailed pigeons occur most commonly in winter when almost the entire population of Pacific Coast band-tailed pigeons is over-wintering from central to southern California, forming large flocks enabling the disease to more easily spread between individual birds at communal watering sites in mostly rural areas (Rogers et al., 2016). Avian trichomonosis mortality events have been documented in band-tailed pigeons since the mid-1940s and are an important factor in their decline (Rogers et al., 2016). Band-tailed pigeons inhabit oak woodland and coniferous forests of the Coastal and Sierra Nevada mountain ranges (Keppie and Braun, 2000); therefore, trichomonosis outbreaks in band-tailed pigeons may provide an opportunistic source of prey and subsequent infection among raptor species in these habitats.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Avian trichomonosis in spotted owls ( Strix occidentalis ): Indication of opportunistic spillover from prey

Rogers

Girard

Woods

et al. 2016

International Journal for Parasitology: Parasites and Wildlife

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Avian trichomonosis, caused by the flagellated protozoan parasite Trichomonas gallinae, has variable pathogenicity among bird species ranging from asymptomatic infections to severe disease periodically manifesting in epidemic mortality. Traditionally, columbids are identified as highly susceptible to infection with occasional spillover into raptors that prey on infected birds. We identified avian trichomonosis in two dead California spotted owls (Strix occidentalis occidentalis) and three dead northern spotted owls (S. o. caurina) in California during 2011–2015; infection was confirmed in four owls by PCR. Pathologic lesions associated with trichomonosis in the owls included caseonecrotic lesions of the upper palate accompanied by oropharyngitis, cellulitis, myositis, and/or sinusitis. Spotted owls are known to mainly feed on small mammals; therefore, the source of infection as well as the significance of the disease in spotted owls is unclear. These owl trichomonosis cases coincided temporally and spatially with three trichomonosis epidemics in band-tailed pigeons (Patagioenas fasciata monilis). The same parasite, T. gallinae subtype A2, was isolated from the spotted owls and band-tailed pigeons, suggesting the owls became infected when opportunistically feeding on pigeons during mortality events. Avian trichomonosis is an important factor in the decline of the Pacific Coast band-tailed pigeon population with near-annual mortality events during the last 10 years and could have conservation implications for raptor species at risk, particularly those that are facing multiple threats.

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Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

See 3 more Smart Citations

Avian trichomonosis in spotted owls ( Strix occidentalis ): Indication of opportunistic spillover from prey

Rogers

Girard

Woods

et al. 2016

International Journal for Parasitology: Parasites and Wildlife

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Husbandry protocols for the Band‐tailed pigeon, Patagioenas fasciata albilinea, at the WCS, Bronx Zoo for future conservation management programs

et al. 2017

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From 2015 to 2016 we determined the husbandry protocols involved in the captive rearing of the Band-tailed Pigeon (BTPI), Patagioenas fascinate albilinea, for use as a tool in the future management of like extant and extinct avian taxa. Current and historical ex-situ conservation management of BTPIs and the closely related Passenger Pigeon, Ectopistes migratorius, is limited in scope and required further examination. Focus on the BTPI within zoos and private aviculture facilities is currently lacking. New pressures on the wild populations and future examination of the parameters involved in the possible restoration of the Passenger Pigeon may rely on a complete understanding of these conservation management techniques. Here we report on the establishment of a colony of BTPIs, at the Wildlife Conservation Society (WCS), and detail the progress attained. A confiscated group of BTPIs was presented to WCS and allowed us to set up the colony, document the husbandry involved, and monitor neonatal development and the factors that influence that development. The information has provided a better understanding of the BTPI and has implications for the future conservation management of this and like species.

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Avian trichomonosis mortality events in band-tailed pigeons (Patagioenas fasciata) in California during winter 2014–2015

Rogers

Girard

Woods

et al. 2018

International Journal for Parasitology: Parasites and Wildlife

Self Cite

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Avian trichomonosis is an upper digestive tract disease of birds typically caused by the protozoan parasite Trichomonas gallinae. In California (U.S.A), trichomonosis is known to cause periodic epidemics in the Pacific Coast band-tailed pigeon (Patagioenas fasciata monolis), a migratory upland game bird. We summarize the mortality events that occurred during winter 2014–2015 including the duration, estimated mortality, pathology, and genetic identity of infecting parasites. Increased mortality was reported from locations in 25 counties between November 2014 and June 2015. Based on reports, carcasses received, wildlife rehabilitation center admissions, site visits, and regular monitoring by local personnel, total mortality was estimated at 18,440. At necropsy, birds had multiple coalescing lesions in the oral cavity involving the upper palate and/or around the tongue and glottis, esophagus, crop, and/or proventriculus. Birds collected from Contra Costa (63.9%; 30/47); Marin (75.0%; 6/8), San Mateo (46.7%; 14/30), and Santa Clara (35.0%; 37/106) counties were more likely to have lesions extending into their head involving muscle, sinuses, ear canals, eye sockets, and bone (χ2 = 62.9; df = 11; P < 0.001). Histopathologic findings included pharyngitis, esophagitis, myositis, and air sacculitis of the pneumatic bone of the skull. Mixed bacterial colonies were found multifocally at the fronts of the necrosis in six of the eleven birds examined histologically. Infecting trichomonads included T. gallinae subtype A2 (n = 5), un-typed T. gallinae (n = 4), mixed infection with T. gallinae subtype A2 and T. stableri (n = 1), and mixed infection with un-typed T. gallinae and T. stableri (n = 1). The winter 2014–2015 epidemic was the largest on record in terms of duration, locations, and birds affected. Infection dynamics may have been exacerbated by the drought in California. Increased monitoring of band-tailed pigeons is needed to understand the long-term impacts of large-scale mortality events on their population.

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Ecologic Drivers and Population Impacts of Avian Trichomonosis Mortality Events in Band-Tailed Pigeons (Patagioenas Fasciata) in California, Usa

Cited by 8 publications

References 19 publications

Avian trichomonosis in spotted owls ( Strix occidentalis ): Indication of opportunistic spillover from prey

Avian trichomonosis in spotted owls ( Strix occidentalis ): Indication of opportunistic spillover from prey

Husbandry protocols for the Band‐tailed pigeon, Patagioenas fasciata albilinea, at the WCS, Bronx Zoo for future conservation management programs

Avian trichomonosis mortality events in band-tailed pigeons (Patagioenas fasciata) in California during winter 2014–2015

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