Epidemiological survey of birds and their mites in Voronezh

Abstract

Parasitic mites associated with the birds play an epidemiological role as reservoirs and vectors of different pathogens. It is especially important in the urban areas. Ecological interrelations between birds and their acaroid parasites were studied. In Voronezh in 2017–2020, 1547 bird nests and 5017 birds of 27 species: Apodiformes: Apus apus; Columbiformes: Columba livia; Passeriformes: Riparia riparia, Delichon urbicum, Hirundo rustica, Passer domesticus, P. montanus, Fringillacoelebs, Luscinia luscina, Ficedula hypoleuca, Erithacus rubecula, Muscicapa striata, Turdus philomelos, Turdus pilaris, Sturnus vulgaris, Pica pica, Corvus monedula, C. cornix, C. frugilegus, Motacilla alba, Сurruca (Sylvia) communis, Sylvia borin, Parus major, Cyanistes caeruleus, Remizpendulinus, Sittaeuropaea, Phylloscopussibilatrix were examined. 19 456 parasitic mites and mites belonging to the orders Mesostigmata (17 806 mites, 90,92 %) Trombidiformes: Trombiculidae (1212 mites, 6,19 %), Ixodida (438 ticks, 2,24 %) of 14 species were collected. 13 species of mesostigmatid (81,25 % of species), one species of velvet (6,25 %) mites, and two species of ixodid mites (12,50 %) were identified. According to the type of ecological connections with host birds, the parasitic mites are nest-burrow parasites, except Ixodes ricinus. 7 species of determined parasites (43,75 %) are obligate hematophages: Ixodes ricinus, I. lividus, Ornithonyssus sylviarum, Dermanyssus gallinae, D. hirundinis, D. passerinus and larval stages of Eutrombicula sp., while 9 mesostigmatic mite species (56,25 %) are optional hematophages of birds and small mammals. In spring and early summer an exchange of parasites between migratory, nomadic and sedentary birds take place. The highest species diversity of the mites as well as their highest number were registered from April to July. In the autumn and winter only three mite species continue their reproduction on the birds’ bodies. Active exchanging of the parasites between the birds is noticed during feeding, grooming, reproductive activity and nestling. Some mites are spreading by active moving or phoretic on the loose flies. Ecological connections between small mammals and birds through their common parasitic mites serve as an important links in pathogens circulation in the urban ecosystems of Voronezh.

Keywords

• voronezh
• birds
• gamasid mites
• hard mites
• velvet mites
• epidemiology