The prevalence of Sarcocystis Lankester, 1882, in some bird species in western Canada, with notes on its life cycle

Abstract

The prevalence of Sarcocystis in 930 birds of 58 species from western Canada is reported. All birds were examined for macroscopic cysts, and tissue from 916 birds was also examined histologically for microscopic cysts. Different prevalences were obtained for several species, and nine new host records are reported. Histological examination of muscle revealed Sarcocystis in many birds which would have otherwise been reported uninfected because only microscopic cysts were present. The prevalence of Sarcocystis in some anatids in Alberta was significantly different from two other surveys. Different migratory routes and overwintering g rounds in each of the studies are suggested as explanations for these findings. Several unsuccessful attempts to complete the life cycle using dogs, coyotes, mink, ferrets, cats, kittens, and rats are reported. The failure to establish infection in any of these carnivores with the macroscopic cysts from ducks is considered supporting evidence for the hypothesis that this parasite is transmitted by another host in another area.