Diversity of parasites of Philippine wild birds and their importance in the conservation and preservation of threatened and endangered wild bird species
2011
Eduardo, S.L., (Philippines Univ., Los Baños, College, Laguna (Philippines). Dept. of Veterinary and Paraclinical Sciences
Diversity of both the avian fauna of the Philippines and their parasites are presented and discussed. The avian fauna consists approximately of 577 known species, distributed to 227 genera, 78 families and belonging to 10 orders. The number of species may increase as how species are discovered especially with the application of molecular techniques in avian systematic. Philippine birds have 34% endemism found nowhere else in the world and many which have restricted range, fifteen percent of the Philippines avifauna is under threat of extinction. The number of species of threatened birds of the Philippines is presented under each category an defined by IUCN. The major threats to Philippines wild birds are also presented and discussed. About 545 species and subspecies of parasites belonging to 261 genera and 96 families have been recorded from Philippine wild birds. These belong to following zoological groups: Protozoa, Trematoda, Cestoda, Acanthocephala, and Arthropoda. The latter includes the chewing lice, fleas, hippoboscidae, ticks and mites. These are also presented according to their organ location. Photos and illustrations of representative examples under each zoological group and organ location are given. Importance of knowledge of parasites in conservation efforts of wild birds is presented and discussed. The effects of these parasites to their hosts especially those birds held in captivity are also listed and explained. Parasites of wild birds wheels are of public health significance (zoonoses) are given and the role of wild birds as disseminator of parasites is discussed. Control strategies of the parasites of wild birds in captivity are detailed and the cooperative role of Biologists, Parasitologists, Veterinarians and Public Health workers towards successful and meaningful wild bird conservation is given.
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