Prevalence of avian malaria in northern Michigan.

Abstract

Avian malaria has been shown to have symptoms similar to that of humans, but little has been done to investigate the effects of host species, age, gender, and location found. A total of 189 passerine and Anseriforme species were sampled from Douglas Lake and three mist-netting sites along the Maple River, Emmett County, Michigan from June 22nd to July 12th. The prevalence of malarial infection of Haemoproteus, Plasmodium, and Leucocytozoon was assessed according to infection among specific species of bird; whether the bird was male or female; the age of each bird; and the location found. Forty-five (23.8%) were infected with haematozoa and Leucocytozoon simondi infected 100% of the common merganser (Mergus merganser) and the common raven (Corvis corax) sampled. Out of 159 passerine birds, 17 were infected with Plasmodium sp. Those families with the highest prevalence were the Emberizidae and Parulidae (3.1 and 3.8%, respectively). The prevalence of infection was statistically significant among avian families and locations, but not among ages. A statistical test was not implemented for the prevalence between genders because a great proportion was undetermined.