Abstract
Mixed infection of Haemoproteus sp. and microfilaria was observed in wild Japanese black wood pigeons (Columba janthina), which inhabit the Okinawa Islands and are a natural monument. The hematozoa was thought to beH. columbae, which is one of the seven species detected from the family Columbae based on their morphological features of mature gametocytes and on the number of rod shaped malaria granules. The microfilaria possessed the sheath and the body measurements were 391.9±19.08μm in length and 3.8±0.53μm in width. The species could not be determined because no adult worm was detected from the birds. The infected pigeons seemed healthy and no aberration was found in the values from the hematological and biochemistry analysis. However, as there is a possibility that the hematozoa and/or microfilaria could be pathogenic in pigeons, continuous monitoring will be required as conservation medicine. This is the first report onHaemoproteussp. and microfilaria infection in Japanese black wood pigeons.
Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Free) 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a call
