Bacterial pathogens' screening in Brazilian chigger mites (Trombidiformes: Trombiculidae), with the first report of 'Candidatus Rickettsia colombianensi'-like in avian-associated chiggers.

Chiggers are larval ectoparasites of the Trombiculidae that can transmit pathogens to their hosts. In this study, chiggers collected from birds in Brazil were morphologically identified as Blankaartia sinnamaryi, Eutrombicula batatas, Eutrombicula daemoni, Eutrombicula goeldii, Eutrombicula tinami, and Parasecia gilbertoi. For these specimens, a beginning attempt at molecular identification were also provided, as well as, were genetically screened to detect bacterial pathogens. The species B. sinnamaryi and E. tinami were positive for Rickettsia felis-like and 'Candidatus Rickettsia colombianensi'-like, respectively. For the other agents (Anaplasmataceae, Borrelia spp. and Orientia tsutsugamushi), the tests were negative. This is the first report of 'Ca. R. colombianensi'-like and the second record of R. felis-like in chigger collected on birds from Brazil.

Similar regional-scale survival of tropical and southern temperate birds from the New World.

The general assumption that the survival patterns of tropical and southern temperate birds are similar lacks empirical data from higher latitudes. Regional comparisons of New World species are rare, and this assumption has been based on data from African studies. Here, we estimate the survival rates of 88 tropical and southern temperate bird populations (69 species) from eight localities in South America to evaluate the hypothesis that the survival of these populations is homogeneous at the regional scale. We estimated survival based on the Cormack-Jolly-Seber model and compared values from different environments. The survival estimates ranged from 0.30 to 0.80 (0.56 ± 0.12). Apparent survival did not differ significantly between low-latitude tropical environments (03°S) and the other sites from high-latitudes (between 22° and 34°S). Despite a predicted positive trend, body size was not significantly related to survival among passerines. On the other hand, phylogenetic relationships explained more than a third of the variation in bird survival. Based on the largest available database on South American bird species, our findings support the hypothesis that bird survival is homogeneous, at the regional scale, along the southern hemisphere. In particular, we reinforce the hypothesis that climatic variation has a limited influence on bird survival in the southern hemisphere.

Beta diversity, prevalence, and specificity of avian haemosporidian parasites throughout the annual cycle of Chilean Elaenia (Elaenia chilensis), a Neotropical austral migrant.

Migratory birds are implicated in dispersing haemosporidian parasites over great geographic distances. However, their role in sharing these vector-transmitted blood parasites with resident avian host species along their migration flyway is not well understood. We studied avian haemosporidian parasites in 10 localities where Chilean Elaenia, a long-distance Neotropical austral migrant species, spends part of its annual cycle to determine local parasite transmission among resident sympatric host species in the elaenia's distributional range across South America. We sampled 371 Chilean Elaenias and 1,818 birds representing 243 additional sympatric species from Brazilian wintering grounds to Argentinian breeding grounds. The 23 haemosporidian lineages found in Chilean Elaenias exhibited considerable variation in distribution, specialization, and turnover across the 10 avian communities in South America. Parasite lineage dissimilarity increased with geographic distance, and infection probability by Parahaemoproteus decreased in localities harbouring a more diverse haemosporidian fauna. Furthermore, blood smears from migrating Chilean Elaenias and local resident avian host species did not contain infective stages of Leucocytozoon, suggesting that transmission did not take place in the Brazilian stopover site. Our analyses confirm that this Neotropical austral migrant connects avian host communities and transports haemosporidian parasites along its distributional range in South America. However, the lack of transmissive stages at stopover site and the infrequent parasite lineage sharing between migratory host populations and residents at breeding and wintering grounds suggest that Chilean Elaenias do not play a significant role in dispersing haemosporidian parasites, nor do they influence local transmission across South America.

Local host specialization, host-switching, and dispersal shape the regional distributions of avian haemosporidian parasites.

The drivers of regional parasite distributions are poorly understood, especially in comparison with those of free-living species. For vector-transmitted parasites, in particular, distributions might be influenced by host-switching and by parasite dispersal with primary hosts and vectors. We surveyed haemosporidian blood parasites (Plasmodium and Haemoproteus) of small land birds in eastern North America to characterize a regional parasite community. Distributions of parasite populations generally reflected distributions of their hosts across the region. However, when the interdependence between hosts and parasites was controlled statistically, local host assemblages were related to regional climatic gradients, but parasite assemblages were not. Moreover, because parasite assemblage similarity does not decrease with distance when controlling for host assemblages and climate, parasites evidently disperse readily within the distributions of their hosts. The degree of specialization on hosts varied in some parasite lineages over short periods and small geographic distances independently of the diversity of available hosts and potentially competing parasite lineages. Nonrandom spatial turnover was apparent in parasite lineages infecting one host species that was well-sampled within a single year across its range, plausibly reflecting localized adaptations of hosts and parasites. Overall, populations of avian hosts generally determine the geographic distributions of haemosporidian parasites. However, parasites are not dispersal-limited within their host distributions, and they may switch hosts readily.

Prevalence of avian haemosporidian parasites is positively related to the abundance of host species at multiple sites within a region.

Parasite prevalence is thought to be positively related to host population density owing to enhanced contagion. However, the relationship between prevalence and local abundance of multiple host species is underexplored. We surveyed birds and their haemosporidian parasites (genera Plasmodium and Haemoproteus) at multiple sites across eastern North America to test whether the prevalence of these parasites in a host species at a particular site is related to that host's local abundance. Prevalence was positively related to host abundance within most sites, although the effect was stronger and more consistent for Plasmodium than for Haemoproteus. In contrast, prevalence was not related to variation in the abundance of most individual host species among sites across the region. These results suggest that parasite prevalence partly reflects the relative abundances of host species in local assemblages. However, three nonnative host species had low prevalence despite being relatively abundant at one site, as predicted by the enemy release hypothesis.

Loss of forest cover and host functional diversity increases prevalence of avian malaria parasites in the Atlantic Forest.

Host phylogenetic relatedness and ecological similarity are thought to contribute to parasite community assembly and infection rates. However, recent landscape level anthropogenic changes may disrupt host-parasite systems by impacting functional and phylogenetic diversity of host communities. We examined whether changes in host functional and phylogenetic diversity, forest cover, and minimum temperature influence the prevalence, diversity, and distributions of avian haemosporidian parasites (genera Haemoproteus and Plasmodium) across 18 avian communities in the Atlantic Forest. To explore spatial patterns in avian haemosporidian prevalence and taxonomic and phylogenetic diversity, we surveyed 2241 individuals belonging to 233 avian species across a deforestation gradient. Mean prevalence and parasite diversity varied considerably across avian communities and parasites responded differently to host attributes and anthropogenic changes. Avian malaria prevalence (termed herein as an infection caused by Plasmodium parasites) was higher in deforested sites, and both Plasmodium prevalence and taxonomic diversity were negatively related to host functional diversity. Increased diversity of avian hosts increased local taxonomic diversity of Plasmodium lineages but decreased phylogenetic diversity of this parasite genus. Temperature and host phylogenetic diversity did not influence prevalence and diversity of haemosporidian parasites. Variation in the diversity of avian host traits that promote parasite encounter and vector exposure (host functional diversity) partially explained the variation in avian malaria prevalence and diversity. Recent anthropogenic landscape transformation (reduced proportion of native forest cover) had a major influence on avian malaria occurrence across the Atlantic Forest. This suggests that, for Plasmodium, host phylogenetic diversity was not a biotic filter to parasite transmission as prevalence was largely explained by host ecological attributes and recent anthropogenic factors. Our results demonstrate that, similar to human malaria and other vector-transmitted pathogens, prevalence of avian malaria parasites will likely increase with deforestation.

Wild dogs at stake: deforestation threatens the only Amazon endemic canid, the short-eared dog (Atelocynus microtis).

The persistent high deforestation rate and fragmentation of the Amazon forests are the main threats to their biodiversity. To anticipate and mitigate these threats, it is important to understand and predict how species respond to the rapidly changing landscape. The short-eared dog Atelocynus microtis is the only Amazon-endemic canid and one of the most understudied wild dogs worldwide. We investigated short-eared dog habitat associations on two spatial scales. First, we used the largest record database ever compiled for short-eared dogs in combination with species distribution models to map species habitat suitability, estimate its distribution range and predict shifts in species distribution in response to predicted deforestation across the entire Amazon (regional scale). Second, we used systematic camera trap surveys and occupancy models to investigate how forest cover and forest fragmentation affect the space use of this species in the Southern Brazilian Amazon (local scale). Species distribution models suggested that the short-eared dog potentially occurs over an extensive and continuous area, through most of the Amazon region south of the Amazon River. However, approximately 30% of the short-eared dog's current distribution is expected to be lost or suffer sharp declines in habitat suitability by 2027 (within three generations) due to forest loss. This proportion might reach 40% of the species distribution in unprotected areas and exceed 60% in some interfluves (i.e. portions of land separated by large rivers) of the Amazon basin. Our local-scale analysis indicated that the presence of forest positively affected short-eared dog space use, while the density of forest edges had a negative effect. Beyond shedding light on the ecology of the short-eared dog and refining its distribution range, our results stress that forest loss poses a serious threat to the conservation of the species in a short time frame. Hence, we propose a re-assessment of the short-eared dog's current IUCN Red List status (Near Threatened) based on findings presented here. Our study exemplifies how data can be integrated across sources and modelling procedures to improve our knowledge of relatively understudied species.

ATLANTIC BIRD TRAITS: a data set of bird morphological traits from the Atlantic forests of South America.

Scientists have long been trying to understand why the Neotropical region holds the highest diversity of birds on Earth. Recently, there has been increased interest in morphological variation between and within species, and in how climate, topography, and anthropogenic pressures may explain and affect phenotypic variation. Because morphological data are not always available for many species at the local or regional scale, we are limited in our understanding of intra- and interspecies spatial morphological variation. Here, we present the ATLANTIC BIRD TRAITS, a data set that includes measurements of up to 44 morphological traits in 67,197 bird records from 2,790 populations distributed throughout the Atlantic forests of South America. This data set comprises information, compiled over two centuries (1820-2018), for 711 bird species, which represent 80% of all known bird diversity in the Atlantic Forest. Among the most commonly reported traits are sex (n = 65,717), age (n = 63,852), body mass (n = 58,768), flight molt presence (n = 44,941), molt presence (n = 44,847), body molt presence (n = 44,606), tail length (n = 43,005), reproductive stage (n = 42,588), bill length (n = 37,409), body length (n = 28,394), right wing length (n = 21,950), tarsus length (n = 20,342), and wing length (n = 18,071). The most frequently recorded species are Chiroxiphia caudata (n = 1,837), Turdus albicollis (n = 1,658), Trichothraupis melanops (n = 1,468), Turdus leucomelas (n = 1,436), and Basileuterus culicivorus (n = 1,384). The species recorded in the greatest number of sampling localities are Basileuterus culicivorus (n = 243), Trichothraupis melanops (n = 242), Chiroxiphia caudata (n = 210), Platyrinchus mystaceus (n = 208), and Turdus rufiventris (n = 191). ATLANTIC BIRD TRAITS (ABT) is the most comprehensive data set on measurements of bird morphological traits found in a biodiversity hotspot; it provides data for basic and applied research at multiple scales, from individual to community, and from the local to the macroecological perspectives. No copyright or proprietary restrictions are associated with the use of this data set. Please cite this data paper when the data are used in publications or teaching and educational activities.

Lack of Detection of Avian Influenza, Newcastle Disease, and West Nile Viruses in Wild Birds of Northeastern Brazil.

We tested 529 wild birds captured in northeastern Brazil for infection by avian influenza, Newcastle disease, and West Nile. Viruses were not detected by real-time PCR with the exception of one Tropical Gnatcatcher ( Polioptila plumbea) positive for influenza virus, but this could not be confirmed by viral isolation or gene sequencing.

Eutrombicula tinami (Oudemans, 1910) (Trombidiformes: Trombiculidae) in Brazil: a neglected ectoparasite of several animals including humans

O gênero Eutrombicula compreende ca. 80 espécies em todo o mundo, algumas das quais foram relatadas como agentes causadores de irritação severa na pele do hospedeiro, conhecidas como trombiculíase. Seis espécies de Eutrombicula foram registradas no Brasil até o presente, com dois relatos de humanos como hospedeiros. Neste estudo, Eutrombicula tinami (Oudemans) é redescrita e novos registros para os estados de Minas Gerais, Rio de Janeiro, Santa Catarina e São Paulo, bem como novas associações de parasitas-hospedeiros com Columbiformes, Cuculiformes, Passeriformes, Tinamiformes, Carnívoros, Didelphimorphia e Lagomorpha estão listados. Além disso, são apresentados dois casos detalhados de trombiculíase.

Ticks (Parasitiformes: Ixodida) on new world wild primates in Brazil

Brazil concentrates the largest number of primate species in the world. In the present study, an extensive literature review of ticks on New World wild monkeys has been carried out, demonstrating that between the years 1912 to 2018, 182 larvae, 137 nymphs and 31 adult ticks (10 males and 21 females) were collected on 78 primates (from 12 different species) in 28 distinct localities in the Brazilian territory. Additionally, examination of allotments of 11 tick collections of Brazil revealed that from 1919 to 2019, 93 larvae, 91 nymphs and 175 adult ticks (62 males and 113 females) were collected from 100 monkeys (among 20 different species) from 43 localities in distinct Brazilian biomes. Overall, 19 tick species were identified on wild primates in the country: Amblyomma aureolatum (Pallas, 1772), Amblyomma cajennense (Fabricius, 1787) sensu stricto, Amblyomma coelebs Neumann, 1899, Amblyomma dubitatum Neumann, 1899, Amblyomma geayi Neumann, 1899, Amblyomma incisum Neumann, 1906, Amblyomma longirostre (Koch, 1844), Amblyomma naponense (Packard, 1869), Amblyomma nodosum Neumann, 1899, Amblyomma ovale Koch, 1844, Amblyomma parkeri Fonseca & Aragão, 1952, Amblyomma romarioi Martins, Luz & Labruna, 2019, Amblyomma rotundatum Koch, 1844, Amblyomma sculptum Berlese, 1888, Haemaphysalis juxtakochi Cooley, 1946, Ixodes fuscipes Koch, 1844, Rhipicephalus microplus (Canestrini, 1888), Rhipicephalus sanguineus (Latreille, 1806) sensu lato,and Ornithodoros rostratus Aragão, 1911. The presence of A. incisum, A. naponense, A. nodosum, A. rotundatum and I. fuscipes on monkeys is recorded for the first time. Thisresearch is therefore a significant contribution to the knowledge of tick speciesassociated with non-human primates in the Neotropical region.

Rickettsial agents in avian ixodid ticks in northeast Brazil.

Birds are important in the maintenance and spread of ticks and tick-borne diseases. In this context we screened birds in the Atlantic forest north of the São Francisco River and Caatinga in northeast Brazil. In the Atlantic forest Amblyomma longirostre, Amblyomma nodosum, Amblyomma varium and Amblyomma auricularium were identified. A. longirostre was infected by "Candidatus Rickettsia amblyommii" and A. nodosum by a Rickettsia parkeri-like agent. In Caatinga, Amblyomma parvum and A. auricularium were identified. A. auricularium was infected by "Ca. R. amblyommii" and Rickettsia bellii. "Canditatus Rickettsia andenae" was also identified in A. parvum collected from birds in Caatinga. In addition, Rickettsia sp. genotype AL was identified in A. varium collected on the clothes of the field team in one area of Atlantic forest. Here we provide a series of new host records for several Neotropical Amblyomma species and document rickettsial infections of "Ca. R. amblyomii" and a R. parkeri-like agent in Paraíba State, and R. bellii and "Ca. R. andenae" in Bahia State. For the first time we provide information regarding the infection of A. varium by "Ca. R. amblyommii".

Eutrombicula tinami (Oudemans, 1910) (Trombidiformes: Trombiculidae) in Brazil: a neglected ectoparasite of several animals including humans

O gênero Eutrombicula compreende ca. 80 espécies em todo o mundo, algumas das quais foram relatadas como agentes causadores de irritação severa na pele do hospedeiro, conhecidas como trombiculíase. Seis espécies de Eutrombicula foram registradas no Brasil até o presente, com dois relatos de humanos como hospedeiros. Neste estudo, Eutrombicula tinami (Oudemans) é redescrita e novos registros para os estados de Minas Gerais, Rio de Janeiro, Santa Catarina e São Paulo, bem como novas associações de parasitas-hospedeiros com Columbiformes, Cuculiformes, Passeriformes, Tinamiformes, Carnívoros, Didelphimorphia e Lagomorpha estão listados. Além disso, são apresentados dois casos detalhados de trombiculíase.

Endoparasites in birds of Guaribas Biological Reserve, atlantic forest, Paraíba state, Brazil / Endoparasitos nas aves da Reserva Biológica Guaribas, Paraíba, Brasil

This paper describes the findings on endoparasites in Atlantic forest birds at Guaribas Biological Reserve, Paraíba State, Northeast of Brazil. We captured 151 birds with mist nets in ten field expeditions between July 2010 and June 2011 and studied bird endoparasites through blood and excreta samples. Blood samples were collected from 131 birds and excreta were collected from 48 birds. In blood smears, only Haemoproteus columbae was detected in three Columbiformes (2.29%) of the species Columbina talpacoti. Fecal samples were collected from 48 birds, and eggs of nematodes and oocysts of coccidian were detected in 6.25% of the samples: Spirurida (Nematoda) in Lanio cristatus (Thraupidae); Strongyloides sp. (Nematoda) in Momotus momota (Momotidae) and Isospora sp. (Protozoa, Eimeriidae) in Neopelma pallescens (Pipridae). There is limited information about the parasites of wild birds in the remaining fragments of Atlantic forest in Northeast of Brazil; however, such knowledge can help understanding these host-parasite interactions.(AU)

Este artigo descreve os achados de endoparasitos em aves da Reserva Biológica Guaribas, no estado da Paraíba, Nordeste do Brasil. Foram capturadas 151 aves por meio de rede de neblina em dez expedições de campo entre julho de 2010 a junho de 2011, efetuando-se a colheita de sangue e excreta para a realização do estudo de endoparasitos. Foram analisadas 131 amostras de sangue e 48 amostras de fezes. Nas amostras de sangue foi detectado apenas Haemoproteus columbae em três Columbiformes (2.29%) da espécie Columbina talpacoti. Ovos de nematódeos e oocistos de protozoários foram detectados em 6,25% das amostras de fezes: Spirurida (Nematoda) em Lanio cristatus (Thraupidae); Strongyloides sp. (Nematoda) em Momotus momota (Momotidae) e Isospora sp. (Protozoa, Eimeriidae) em Neopelma pallescens (Pipridae). Poucas informações sobre o parasitismo nos fragmentos da Mata Atlântica do Nordeste estão disponíveis e o seu conhecimento pode auxiliar a compreensão da interação parasite-hospedeiro.(AU)

ENDOPARASITES IN BIRDS OF GUARIBAS BIOLOGICAL RESERVE, ATLANTIC FOREST, PARAÍBA STATE, BRAZIL

Abstract This paper describes the findings on endoparasites in Atlantic forest birds at Guaribas Biological Reserve, Paraíba State, Northeast of Brazil. We captured 151 birds with mist nets in ten field expeditions between July 2010 and June 2011 and studied bird endoparasites through blood and excreta samples. Blood samples were collected from 131 birds and excreta were collected from 48 birds. In blood smears, only Haemoproteus columbae was detected in three Columbiformes (2.29%) of the species Columbina talpacoti. Fecal samples were collected from 48 birds, and eggs of nematodes and oocysts of coccidian were detected in 6.25% of the samples: Spirurida (Nematoda) in Lanio cristatus (Thraupidae); Strongyloides sp. (Nematoda) in Momotus momota (Momotidae) and Isospora sp. (Protozoa, Eimeriidae) in Neopelma pallescens (Pipridae). There is limited information about the parasites of wild birds in the remaining fragments of Atlantic forest in Northeast of Brazil; however, such knowledge can help understanding these host-parasite interactions.

Resumo Este artigo descreve os achados de endoparasitos em aves da Reserva Biológica Guaribas, no estado da Paraíba, Nordeste do Brasil. Foram capturadas 151 aves por meio de rede de neblina em dez expedições de campo entre julho de 2010 a junho de 2011, efetuando-se a colheita de sangue e excreta para a realização do estudo de endoparasitos. Foram analisadas 131 amostras de sangue e 48 amostras de fezes. Nas amostras de sangue foi detectado apenas Haemoproteus columbae em três Columbiformes (2.29%) da espécie Columbina talpacoti. Ovos de nematódeos e oocistos de protozoários foram detectados em 6,25% das amostras de fezes: Spirurida (Nematoda) em Lanio cristatus (Thraupidae); Strongyloides sp. (Nematoda) em Momotus momota (Momotidae) e Isospora sp. (Protozoa, Eimeriidae) em Neopelma pallescens (Pipridae). Poucas informações sobre o parasitismo nos fragmentos da Mata Atlântica do Nordeste estão disponíveis e o seu conhecimento pode auxiliar a compreensão da interação parasite-hospedeiro.

Endoparasites in birds of Guaribas Biological Reserve, atlantic forest, Paraíba state, Brazil / Endoparasitos nas aves da Reserva Biológica Guaribas, Paraíba, Brasil

This paper describes the findings on endoparasites in Atlantic forest birds at Guaribas Biological Reserve, Paraíba State, Northeast of Brazil. We captured 151 birds with mist nets in ten field expeditions between July 2010 and June 2011 and studied bird endoparasites through blood and excreta samples. Blood samples were collected from 131 birds and excreta were collected from 48 birds. In blood smears, only Haemoproteus columbae was detected in three Columbiformes (2.29%) of the species Columbina talpacoti. Fecal samples were collected from 48 birds, and eggs of nematodes and oocysts of coccidian were detected in 6.25% of the samples: Spirurida (Nematoda) in Lanio cristatus (Thraupidae); Strongyloides sp. (Nematoda) in Momotus momota (Momotidae) and Isospora sp. (Protozoa, Eimeriidae) in Neopelma pallescens (Pipridae). There is limited information about the parasites of wild birds in the remaining fragments of Atlantic forest in Northeast of Brazil; however, such knowledge can help understanding these host-parasite interactions.

Este artigo descreve os achados de endoparasitos em aves da Reserva Biológica Guaribas, no estado da Paraíba, Nordeste do Brasil. Foram capturadas 151 aves por meio de rede de neblina em dez expedições de campo entre julho de 2010 a junho de 2011, efetuando-se a colheita de sangue e excreta para a realização do estudo de endoparasitos. Foram analisadas 131 amostras de sangue e 48 amostras de fezes. Nas amostras de sangue foi detectado apenas Haemoproteus columbae em três Columbiformes (2.29%) da espécie Columbina talpacoti. Ovos de nematódeos e oocistos de protozoários foram detectados em 6,25% das amostras de fezes: Spirurida (Nematoda) em Lanio cristatus (Thraupidae); Strongyloides sp. (Nematoda) em Momotus momota (Momotidae) e Isospora sp. (Protozoa, Eimeriidae) em Neopelma pallescens (Pipridae). Poucas informações sobre o parasitismo nos fragmentos da Mata Atlântica do Nordeste estão disponíveis e o seu conhecimento pode auxiliar a compreensão da interação parasite-hospedeiro.

An overview of migratory birds in Brazil

We reviewed the occurrences and distributional patterns of migratory species of birds in Brazil. A species was classified as migratory when at least part of its population performs cyclical, seasonal movements with high fidelity to its breeding grounds. Of the 1,919 species of birds recorded in Brazil, 198 (10.3%) are migratory. Of these, 127 (64%) were classified as Migratory and 71 (36%) as Partially Migratory. A few species (83; 4.3%) were classified as Vagrant and eight (0,4%) species could not be defined due to limited information available, or due to conflicting data.(AU)

An overview of migratory birds in Brazil

We reviewed the occurrences and distributional patterns of migratory species of birds in Brazil. A species was classified as migratory when at least part of its population performs cyclical, seasonal movements with high fidelity to its breeding grounds. Of the 1,919 species of birds recorded in Brazil, 198 (10.3%) are migratory. Of these, 127 (64%) were classified as Migratory and 71 (36%) as Partially Migratory. A few species (83; 4.3%) were classified as Vagrant and eight (0,4%) species could not be defined due to limited information available, or due to conflicting data.

Ocorrência de anticorpos anti-toxoplasma gondii em aves silvestres de três unidades de conservação federais da Paraíba e da Bahia / Occurrence of antibodies to toxoplasma gondii in wild birds from three federal conservation units of Paraíba and Bahia, Brazil

A vigilância e monitoramento de doenças em animais silvestres são imprescindíveis no contexto ambiental e de saúde pública, pois estes animais agem como sentinelas, refletindo alterações ambientais precocemente, o que proporciona maior eficácia no monitoramento ambiental e permite o acesso rápido a informações sobre as condições da área. Neste contexto, as aves são importantes no ciclo biológico do Toxoplasma gondii e na epidemiologia da toxoplasmose, principalmente porque seus tecidos representam importantes fontes de proteína na alimentação de felídeos e humanos. Objetivou-se detectar anticorpos anti-T. gondii, por meio do teste de aglutinação modificada em aves silvestres de três Unidades de Conservação (UC) Federais dos Estados da Paraíba e Bahia. No período de dezembro de 2011 a outubro de 2013 foram capturadas com redes de neblina 222 aves silvestres pertencentes a 67 espécies, 27 famílias e 12 ordens. Após a captura, foi colhido sangue de cada animal e separado o soro, que foi submetido ao Teste de Aglutinação Modificada (MAT≥1:25) utilizando taquizoítos inativados na formalina e 2-mercaptoetanol. Dentre as 222 amostras analisadas, três (1,3%) foram sororreagentes: 1 de 16 (6,2%) pipira-preta Tachyphonus rufus (título 50), 1 de 5 (20%) juriti-gemedeira Leptotila rufaxilla (título 50) e 1 de 1 (100%) caneleiro-enxofre Casiornis fuscus (título 25). Este é o primeiro relato da ocorrência de anticorpos anti-T. gondii nas referidas espécies de aves silvestres de vida livre nas duas UC Federais estudadas.

Surveillance and monitoring of wildlife pathogens are essential in the environmental context and human public health, as these animals act as sentinels, reflecting environmental changes early on, whath gives more efficient environmental monitoring and allows quick access to information on the conditions of area. Birds are important in the epidemiology and life cycle of Toxoplasma gondii, because their tissues are important source of protein in the diet of felids and humans. The objective was to determine antibodies to Toxoplasma gondii in wild birds from three Federal Conservation Units of the states of Paraíba and Bahia by Modified Agglutination Test (MAT). From December 2011 to October 2013, 222 wild birds of 67 species from 27 families and 12 Orders were captured with mist nets. Blood samples were then collected and the serum was separated by centrifugation. The sera were tested (MAT≥1:25) using formalin-fixed whole tachyzoites and 2-mercaptoethanol. Antibodies to T. gondii were found in 3 of 222 (1.3%) birds: in 1 of 16 (6.2%) white-lined tanager (Tachyphonus rufus, titer 50), in 1 of 5 (20%) gray-fronted dove (Leptotilla rufaxila, titer 50), and in 1 of 1 (100%) ashy-throated casiornis (Casiornis fuscus, titer 25). This is the first report of occurrence of antibodies to T. gondii in these tree bird species from two Federal Conservation Units.

Ocorrência de anticorpos anti-Toxoplasma gondii em aves silvestres de três Unidades de Conservação Federais da Paraíba e da Bahia / Occurrence of antibodies to Toxoplasma gondii in wild birds from three Federal Conservation Units of Paraíba and Bahia, Brazil

A vigilância e monitoramento de doenças em animais silvestres são imprescindíveis no contexto ambiental e de saúde pública, pois estes animais agem como sentinelas, refletindo alterações ambientais precocemente, o que proporciona maior eficácia no monitoramento ambiental e permite o acesso rápido a informações sobre as condições da área. Neste contexto, as aves são importantes no ciclo biológico do Toxoplasma gondii e na epidemiologia da toxoplasmose, principalmente porque seus tecidos representam importantes fontes de proteína na alimentação de felídeos e humanos. Objetivou-se detectar anticorpos anti-T. gondii, por meio do teste de aglutinação modificada em aves silvestres de três Unidades de Conservação (UC) Federais dos Estados da Paraíba e Bahia. No período de dezembro de 2011 a outubro de 2013 foram capturadas com redes de neblina 222 aves silvestres pertencentes a 67 espécies, 27 famílias e 12 ordens. Após a captura, foi colhido sangue de cada animal e separado o soro, que foi submetido ao Teste de Aglutinação Modificada (MAT≥1:25) utilizando taquizoítos inativados na formalina e 2-mercaptoetanol. Dentre as 222 amostras analisadas, três (1,3%) foram sororreagentes: 1 de 16 (6,2%) pipira-preta Tachyphonus rufus (título 50), 1 de 5 (20%) juriti-gemedeira Leptotila rufaxilla (título 50) e 1 de 1 (100%) caneleiro-enxofre Casiornis fuscus (título 25). Este é o primeiro relato da ocorrência de anticorpos anti-T. gondii nas referidas espécies de aves silvestres de vida livre nas duas UC Federais estudadas.(AU)

Surveillance and monitoring of wildlife pathogens are essential in the environmental context and human public health, as these animals act as sentinels, reflecting environmental changes early on, whath gives more efficient environmental monitoring and allows quick access to information on the conditions of area. Birds are important in the epidemiology and life cycle of Toxoplasma gondii, because their tissues are important source of protein in the diet of felids and humans. The objective was to determine antibodies to Toxoplasma gondii in wild birds from three Federal Conservation Units of the states of Paraíba and Bahia by Modified Agglutination Test (MAT). From December 2011 to October 2013, 222 wild birds of 67 species from 27 families and 12 Orders were captured with mist nets. Blood samples were then collected and the serum was separated by centrifugation. The sera were tested (MAT≥1:25) using formalin-fixed whole tachyzoites and 2-mercaptoethanol. Antibodies to T. gondii were found in 3 of 222 (1.3%) birds: in 1 of 16 (6.2%) white-lined tanager (Tachyphonus rufus, titer 50), in 1 of 5 (20%) gray-fronted dove (Leptotilla rufaxila, titer 50), and in 1 of 1 (100%) ashy-throated casiornis (Casiornis fuscus, titer 25). This is the first report of occurrence of antibodies to T. gondii in these tree bird species from two Federal Conservation Units.(AU)