Study of the helminth fauna in eagle owl (Bubo bubo) in the south of Spain. (August 2022)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Zafra, R.; Martínez-Moreno, F.J.; Rufino-Moya, P.J.; Gutiérrez, P.N.; Martínez-Cruz, S.; Buffoni, L.; Martínez-Moreno, A.; Acosta, I.
• Is Part Of: International journal for parasitology. Volume 18(2022)
• Page Start: 260
• Page End: 265
• Publication Date: 2022-08
• Subjects: Helminthfauna -- Eagle owl -- Communities -- Parasites; Parasites -- Periodicals; Parasitology -- Periodicals; Animals -- Periodicals; Wildlife diseases -- Periodicals; Parasites -- Periodicals; Animals, Wild -- Periodicals; Animals; Parasites; Parasitology; Wildlife diseases; Periodicals; 591.7857
• DOI: 10.1016/j.ijppaw.2022.06.011
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 2213-2244

Abstract

Abstract: In this study we show the results of the eagle owls' ( Bubo bubo ) helminthfauna found in Andalusia. A total number of 50 specimens have been analysed in a period of 10 years (from 2011 to 2020). Prevalence ( P % ), mean intensity (IM ) and mean abundance (AM ) of parasitation have been obtained. The percentage of parasitation in the total sample was 80% (40 out of 50 eagle owls): 78% nematodes, 8% trematodes, 6% cestodes and 4% acantocephalans. 7 species of helminths were identified: 6 nematodes, and 1 trematode. In the case of cestodes and acantocephalans it was not possible to determine species and only the genus was identified. The intestinal nematode Capillaria tenuissima ( P % = 58% (44–71.2); IM = 11, 52 (5.83–28.9)) was the core species whereas Synhimantus laticeps (P% = 16 (7.5–28.8); IM = 4 (1.75–7.25)) and Hartertia hispanica (P% = 16 (7.5–28.8); IM = 1, 5 (1–2)) were the secondary species. The remainder species were considered satellite species, with low prevalence and average abundance. Likewise, descriptive parameters of the helminth community were determined: species richness, 1.56 (1.29–1.94), total abundance, 12 (7.24–26.40), Brillouin's diversity index, 0.18 (0.10–0.29) and Berger-Parker dominance index, 0.88 (0.81–0.93). The data from this study show a non-diverse helminthic community, without species dominance with C. tenuissima as the central species, followed by S. laticeps and H. hispanica as secondary species. Worth mentioning is the presence of H. hispanica, which is considered an endemic species in Spain and specifically in Andalusia. To the authors' knowledge, this is the largest population sample taken in parasitological studies about helminths of this raptor in Europe and the first one carried out in the south of Spain (Andalusia). Graphical abstract: Image 1 Highlights: Study of Helminthfauna of 50 Eagle Owl ( Bubo bubo ) for 10 years. Helminthic community with low biodiversity and no clear dominance. Capillaria tenuissima most prevalent helminth (58%). Third description of Hartertia hispanica in Eagle Owl since 1947. First study in Andalusia and the largest at European level.