Some hemoprotozoa (Apicomplexa) of two Philippine owl species (Strigiformes) with description of a new species, haemoproteus topacioi Desamero & Eduardo (Haemoproteidae)

Abstract

Two species of owls, Otus megalotis Walden, 1875 (Philippine scops-owl) and Bubo ppensis Kaup, 1851 (Philippine eagle-owl) (Strigidae), kept at the Ninoy Aquino Parks and Wildlife (PAWB), DENR, Quezon City, Philippines were examined for blood parasites during the period June 2009-February 2010. Blood smears were prepared, stained in Giemsa and examined under the microscope. Three species of hemoprotozoa representing the genus Haemopro'teus and Hepatozoon were identified; one previously known, another unidentified to species level and the last a new species. These are Haemoproteus syrnii and Hepatozoon sp. from Otus megalotis and Haemoproteus topacioi Desamero & Eduardo, new species from Bubo philippensis. The gametocyte of Haemoproteus topacioi is characterized by being microsomal to halteridial but never close to or touching the nucleus of the infected RBC, having finely rough margins, the abundance of fine vacuoles and in the fewer number and different distribution of pigmented granules. H. topacioi is differentiated from the valid species of the genus Haemoproteus occurring in the Strigiformes. Hepatozoon sp. was found concomitant with Haemoproteus syrnii infection. H. topacioi apart from being a species new to science, its occurrence in Bubo philippensis is a new host record for Haemoproteus in the Philippines. The genus Hepatozoon is also reported for the first time in owls.

Source or Periodical Title

Philippine Journal of Veterinary Medicine

ISSN

317705

Page

34-40

Document Type

Article

Subject

Haemoproteus syrnii, Haemoproteus topacioi n. sp., Hemoprotozoa, Heoatozoon sp., Owls, Philippines

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