Parasite prevalence in Worthen’s Sparrow (Spizella wortheni): Mexican endemic and endangered species

Abstract

The Worthen’s sparrow is an endemic bird of the Mexican Plateau that due to its limited distribution and population size is considered to be endangered, both nationally and globally. In general, species at risk have been, at least historically, under population size and genetic diversity reductions, which are factors that can act together to increase infections risk and susceptibility. Therefore, with the purpose to determine such propensity in this species, we analyzed the intestinal parasitic infection through fecal samples from 11 individuals, and hemoparasites, hematocrit and differential leukocyte quantification from one sample. Results indicated that 91% of the samples had one parasite taxon, with genus Cryptosporidium showing the highest prevalence (64%), followed by Eimeria (55%), and Ascaridia (9%). However, mean values of oocysts/eggs per gram indicated a low parasitic infection. We found no blood parasites, and the white blood cell counts were among reference values for other sparrow species.

Keywords

• gorrión altiplanero
• spizella wortheni
• peligro de extinción
• parásitos fecales
• hemoparásitos
• conteo diferencial de leucocitos.