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Trichomonad parasite infection in four species of Columbidae in the UK

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  19 July 2013

ROSIE J. LENNON ,
JENNY C. DUNN ,
JENNIFER E. STOCKDALE ,
SIMON J. GOODMAN ,
ANTONY J. MORRIS  and
KEITH C. HAMER
ROSIE J. LENNON*
Affiliation:
School of Biology, Irene Manton Building, University of Leeds, Leeds LS9 2JT, UK
JENNY C. DUNN*
Affiliation:
Centre for Conservation Science, Royal Society for the Protection of Birds, The Lodge, Potton Road, Sandy SG19 2DL, UK
JENNIFER E. STOCKDALE
Affiliation:
School of Biology, Irene Manton Building, University of Leeds, Leeds LS9 2JT, UK Cardiff School of Biosciences, The Sir Martin Evans Building, Museum Avenue, Cardiff CF10 3AX, UK
SIMON J. GOODMAN
Affiliation:
School of Biology, Irene Manton Building, University of Leeds, Leeds LS9 2JT, UK
ANTONY J. MORRIS
Affiliation:
Centre for Conservation Science, Royal Society for the Protection of Birds, The Lodge, Potton Road, Sandy SG19 2DL, UK
KEITH C. HAMER
Affiliation:
School of Biology, Irene Manton Building, University of Leeds, Leeds LS9 2JT, UK
*
*Corresponding author: School of Biology, Irene Manton Building, University of Leeds, Leeds LS9 2JT, UK. E-mail: r.j.lennon@hotmail.co.uk
*Corresponding author: RSPB, The Lodge, Potton Road, Sandy SG19 2DL, UK. E-mail: Jenny.Dunn@rspb.org.uk
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Summary

Trichomonas gallinae is an emerging pathogen in wild birds, linked to recent declines in finch (Fringillidae) populations across Europe. Globally, the main hosts for this parasite are species of Columbidae (doves and pigeons); here we carry out the first investigation into the presence and incidence of Trichomonas in four species of Columbidae in the UK, through live sampling of wild-caught birds and subsequent PCR. We report the first known UK cases of Trichomonas infection in 86% of European Turtle Doves Streptopelia turtur sampled, along with 86% of Eurasian Collared Doves Streptopelia decaocto, 47% of Woodpigeons Columba palumbus and 40% of Stock Doves Columba oenas. Birds were more likely to be infected if the farm provided supplementary food for gamebirds. We found three strains of T. gallinae and one strain clustering within the Trichomonas tenax clade, not previously associated with avian hosts in the UK. One T. gallinae strain was identical at the ITS/5.8S/ITS2 ribosomal region to that responsible for the finch trichomonosis epizootic. We highlight the importance of increasing our knowledge of the diversity and ecological implications of Trichomonas parasites in order further to understand the sub-clinical impacts of parasite infection.

Keywords

supplementary foodemerging diseasesfarmland birdspopulation declineswildlife management
Type
Research Article
Information
Parasitology , Volume 140 , Issue 11 , September 2013 , pp. 1368 - 1376
Copyright
Copyright © Cambridge University Press 2013 

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