Gastrointestinal parasitic infestation in the Rock ptarmigan Lagopus muta in the French Alps and French Pyrenees based on long-term sampling (1987-2018).

Angela Fanelli,Paolo Tizzani,Eric Belleau

doi:10.1017/s0031182020000517

Abstract

Data presented in this work represents the first record of parasites from the Alpine and Pyrenean Lagopus muta subspecies, providing valuable information to consider for conservation management. From 1987 to 2018, 207 Rock ptarmigans were collected in the framework of a long-term sanitary monitoring in France. Eight parasites were found in the Alpine Rock ptarmigan, and one in the Pyrenean subspecies. Only two parasites occurred with high prevalence in the Alpine Rock ptarmigan: Capillaria caudinflata (38.9%) and Eimeria sp. (34.7%). Prevalence of the other parasites (Ascaridia compar, Cestodes, Amphimerus sp. and Trichostrongylus tenuis) was lower than 20%. Dispharynx nasuta was found with a prevalence of 52.9% in the Pyrenean Rock ptarmigan. Overall, we found a spatially aggregated distribution of parasites in the northern French Alps, probably due to both favourable climatic conditions for parasite cycle and high host density. Statistical analyses indicated a positive effect of altitude and latitude on C. caudinflata occurrence whereas risk factors for Eimeria sp. were the distance from urban areas and land cover. In addition, the majority of the infested birds came from areas close to ski-pistes, where human disturbance increases the susceptibility to diseases, causing stress to wildlife.

Highlights

The Rock ptarmigan Lagopus muta is a bird distributed with several subspecies in the arctic and alpine tundra of the Northern hemisphere
Eight parasites were found in the Alpine Rock ptarmigan, and one in the Pyrenean subspecies
Two Lagopus subspecies are reported in France: the Alpine Rock ptarmigan L. muta helvetica living in the Alps and the Pyrenean Rock ptarmigan L. muta pyrenaica whose range is limited to the Pyrenees

Summary

Introduction

The Rock ptarmigan Lagopus muta is a bird distributed with several subspecies in the arctic and alpine tundra of the Northern hemisphere. In contrast to the northern population, characterized by high density and occurring in wide and undisturbed habitats (Caizergues et al, 2003), the southernmost populations, which present a more fragmented distribution, have suffered a significant population reduction over the last decade. National Red Data Books of several European countries, as well as the European Bird Directive (Council Directive 2009/147/EC) include it as a threatened species, pointing out the need for special conservation measures for its preservation (European Parliament and European Council, 2009). Compared with other grouse species, scarce literature is currently available on the Rock ptarmigan (Zbinden and Hoerning, 1985), with most of the studies related to population dynamics, habitat and behaviour (Storch, 2000; Moss et al, 2010; Tizzani et al, 2020)

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Conclusion