Peter Shurulinkov

Spatial and temporal differences in the blood parasite fauna of passerine birds during the spring migration in Bulgaria

Species composition and prevalence of the blood parasites of three migratory Acrocephalus species of warblers (Acrocephalus arundinaceus, Acrocephalus scirpaceus and Acrocephalus schoenobaenus) were studied during spring period in Bulgaria. For each of the studied species, we compared the parasite fauna during their spring migration at three study sites in search of infection patterns in time and space. Spatial differences were registered in the blood parasites and their prevalence for two of the studied species—A. arundinaceus and A. scirpaceus, whereas for the third one—A. schoenobaenus, there were no significant differences. The parasite species Haemoproteus belopolskyi was present in migrating A. arundinaceus only at Kalimok station, but not at the other two sampling locations. Plasmodium prevalence in A. arundinaceus migrating through Kalimok was also different between years. A decrease of H. belopolskyi prevalence was detected for A. schoenobaenus at Petarch during the spring of 2006. On the contrary, Plasmodium (Haemamoeba) sp. infections of the same bird species increased during the spring period. The differences found between sites could be explained with the different origin of the migrants at different migration stopover points. Climatic conditions and vector abundance in the zones of origin are probable reasons for the observed differences between years.

Double gametocyte infections in apicomplexan parasites of birds and reptiles

Abstract The simultaneous occurrence of male and female gametocytes inside a single host blood cell has been suggested to enhance apicomplexan transmission [”double gametocyte infection (DGI) hypothesis”]. We did a bibliographic search and a direct screen of blood smears from wild birds and reptiles to answer, for the first time, how common are these infections in the wild. Taking these two approaches together, we report here cases of DGIs in Plasmodium, Haemoproteus, Leucocytozoon and Hepatozoon, and cases of male–female DGIs in Haemoproteus of birds and reptiles and in Leucocytozoon of birds. Thus, we suggest that DGIs and male–female DGIs are more widespread than previously thought, opening a new research avenue on apicomplexan transmission.

Observations of the lesser kestrel (Falco naumanni) in Bulgaria during the period of post-breeding dispersal

Abstract The lesser kestrel (Falco naumanni) was considered extinct as a breeding species in Bulgaria, but recently a small breeding colony was found again in the south-eastern part of the country. Seven recent observations of flocks or solitary birds of the species in Bulgaria during the post-breeding period are presented and commented here. It is shown that the territory of the country is a regular area for post-breeding dispersal and pre-migratory feeding of lesser kestrels. The origin of these is not known, but most probably birds from the populations of the European part of Turkey, Greece, Republic of Macedonia and Albania are involved.