Seasonal prevalence of avian hematozoa in passeriform birds of Atlantic Canada

Abstract

The seasonal prevalence of avian hematozoa in two populations of passeriform birds from Newfoundland and New Brunswick in Atlantic Canada was correlated with the seasonal activity of appropriate vectors. Prevalence of Leucocytozoon in Newfoundland was considerably higher than in New Brunswick, and transmission occurred throughout the summer; ornithophilic simuliids were relatively abundant throughout the same period. In New Brunswick, transmission of Leucocytozoon was restricted to May and June, the period during which simuliid vectors were demonstrated to be present in the area. Seasonal prevalence of Haemoproteus was similar in both populations, and transmission occurred at a time when ceratopogonid vectors were available. Transmission of Plasmodium in New Brunswick was coincident with the appearance of adult Culiseta morsitans and Mansonia perturbans as major elements of the mosquito population.