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PARASITES OF FALCO ELEONORAE: PREVIOUS AND LATEST INFORMATION
A. Diakou1, J. Fric2, M. Papazahariadou1, T. Dimalexis2

1 Laboratory of Parasitology and Parasitic Diseases, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Greece
2 Hellenic Ornithological Society, Vas. Irakleiou 24 10682, Athens, Greece

Key words: Falco eleonorae, parasites Greece, Mediterranean

5th International Congress on Wild Fauna, 22-27 September 2007, Chalkidiki Greece, Proceedings, pg 32


Introduction. Falco eleonorae (Eleonora’s falcon) is a migratory falcon that appears in the Mediterranean area in April returning from East Africa, where it spends the winter. Greece is considered the most significant country for the conservation and survival of F. eleonorae, since during the breeding season, it hosts more than 80% of the global population which is presently estimated to exceed 12.000 pairs. In contrast to natural threats for this species, such as introduced predators (e.g. rats) that may take eggs or nestlings, considered of high priority for conservation, parasitic and other diseases are considered of low importance. However, in a species classified as Rare at European level, these factors can be of particular interest. Here, we review the previously published information on the parasitic fauna of F. eleonorae and we present the preliminary results of parasitological examination of this bird species in Greece. Sampling was carried out in the framework of the Life Nature project “Conservation of Falco eleonorae in Greece”.
Materials and Methods. During the period of August and September 2006, faecal samples from 23 nests and ectoparasites of two nestlings in two different nests were collected. The nests were located in the islets of Sporades and Cyclades Islands, in Aegean Sea. The faeces were examined by: i. merthiolate-iodine-formalin sedimentation method, ii. zinc sulphate flotation method and iii. Ziehl-Nielsen stained smear inspection. The identification of the parasites was based on morphological criteria.
Results. 20 out of the 23 faecal samples were found positive for one or more parasitic species. The parasites found were oocysts of three coccidian species (Caryospora spp., Isospora spp. and one unidentified species), eggs of 4 trematodes (Nematostrigea spp., Neodiplostomum spp. and two unidentified species), 1 unidentified cestode in the stage of cysticercoid and eggs of 3 nematodes (Serratospiculum spp., Synhimantus spp. and one unidentified species). The ectoparasites were one fly of the family Hyppoboscidae and one louse of the order Mallophaga. It is noted that in the faeces the eggs of a possibly parasitic mite (Acarina) were often found.
Discussion. There are only few studies about the parasites of F. eleonorae in the international literature. Wink et al. in 1979 published the results of a research on the ecto- and blood parasites of this bird species in the Aegean Sea. In that study the haemoprotozoon Leucocytozoon toddi, an unidentified microfilaria and the ectoparasites Haemaphysalis numidiana (Ixodidae), Ornithophila gestroi (Hyppoboscidae), Laemobothrion tinnunculi and Degeeriella rufa (Mallophaga) and one mite (Acarina) were found. On the contrary, when Martínez-Abraín and Urios (2002) examined F. eleonorae nestlings in Columbretes Islands (Mediterranean Sea, Spain) for blood parasites, no heamoparasites were found. In the present study faecal examination of Eleonora’s falcon was performed for the first time, revealing high prevalence of various species of parasites that represent a potentially serious threat to the health of the birds. The ectoparasites were of the same taxon with the previously reported, indicating that Hyppoboscidae and Mallophaga are rather common in this bird species.
Conclusion. With more than three-quarters of its world population occurring in the Greek archipelago, F. eleonorae is by far, the most important bird species hosted in the country. It is thus unambiguous that a systematic study of its biology and of the factors that can threaten its conservation status is essential, in order to ensure the species' long-term protection. Parasites, under certain conditions, can represent a serious problem to their hosts and in the case of Eleonora’s falcon their detailed recording is the first step in working out suitable measures for their limitation.

Referenses.
  1. Cooper JE. Birds of prey: health and disease. 3rd ed. 2002, Blackwell Science Ltd
  2. Ελληνική Ορνιθολογική Εταιρεία. Δράσεις για την προστασία του Μαυροπετρίτη στην Ελλάδα. http://www.ornithologiki.gr/life/falcoel/index.php
  3. International species Action plan: Eleonora’s falcon Falco eleonorae. Final draft, December 1999. Prepared by BirdLife International on behalf of the European Commision. http://ec.europa.eu/environment/nature/directive/birdactionplan/16_actions_plan/02falco_eleonorae.pdf
  4. Martínez-Abraín A, Urios G. Absence of blood parasites in nestlings of the Eleonora’s Falcon (Falco eleonorae). J Raptor Res 2002, 36:139-141
  5. Wink Von M, Ristow D, Wink C. Biologie des Eleonorenfalken (Falco eleonorae) 3. Parasitenbefall während der Brutzeit und Jugendentwicklung. J Orn 1979, 120:94-97

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