Survey showing the effect of environment and behavior upon parasite levels in the Hawaii Amakihi (Loxops virens) (Aves: Drepanididae)

Author:

Van Riper, Charles III

Title:

Survey showing the effect of environment and behavior upon parasite levels in the Hawaii Amakihi (Loxops virens) (Aves: Drepanididae)

Year:

1981

Pages:

14

Subject:

Hawaii Amakihi Loxops virens Birds parasites Birds Mauna Kea

Summary:

From 1972 through 1979 a field survey was conducted to determine what parasites were present in an Amakihi (Loxops virens) population from a dry forest on the island of Hawaii. Fauna were collected from recently used nests and few avian parasites were found; most were nonparasitic arthropods associated with nests as saprophages, or as predators on other nest arthropods. Mites of the genus Ptilonyssus were found in the nasal cavity and seven other genera were identified from body washes. Avian pox lesions were found on five Amakihi, and in two instances the infections appeared severe enough to have caused death. Coccidia (Isospora sp.) were recorded from four birds, and all blood smears from 107 birds were negative for haematozoans. Complete postmortems were carried out on 44 Amakihi. Intestinal helminths were the most frequently encountered parasites, and their abundance varied significantly between host age classes. From 1972 through 1979 capillarids were present in nine of 20 postmortemed adults, but were not found in any juvenile birds. Four cases of cestode parasitism were all from adult specimens. Ecological factors are given which possibly explain the differing levels of parasite infection between young and adult birds.

URL:

http://hdl.handle.net/10125/4188

Collection:

Monographs