BLOOD PARASITES OF BIRDS FROM CHIRIQUI AND PANAMA PROVINCES IN THE REPUBLIC OF PANAMA

Abstract

Blood smears were examined from 3715 birds from 4 other areas in the Republic of Panama. Hematozoa were present in at least 142 (50%) of the 281 spp. examined. An overall prevalence of 18% of the individual birds was noted: Haemoproteus 9%, Plasmodium 5%, Leucocytozoon < 1%, Trypanosoma 2%, Atoxoplasma/Lankesterella < 1% and microfilariae 3%. Prevalence in each of the 4 study areas varied from 13 to 28%. Distribution was analyzed by orders, families and the individual species of Plasmodium were tabulated. New host records from 170 spp. of birds are recorded.