ON THE SPECIFICITY AND TRANSMISSION OF SOME AVIAN TRYPANOSOMES

Abstract

Trypanosomes, originating from different species of birds from Algonquin Park, Ontario, multiplied and produced infective stages in ornithophilic simuliids. These insects are considered natural vectors in Algonquin Park. Using ornithophilic simuliids and Aedes aegypti as intermediate hosts, trypanosomes from one bird were transmitted to a number of species of birds, indicating that the parasites had little specificity for the vertebrate hosts. Development of flagellates in other kinds of biting Diptera was not consistent. Experiments indicate that the parasite is probably transmitted by the penetration or flagellates (in the feces of infected flies) through breaks in the host skin.