Abstract
Diurnal periodicity is a phenomenon that has been observed in coccidian of Isospora parasites of passerines, which have been eliminated great number of oocysts at dusk. The objective of this study was to evaluate the occurrence of periodicity of oocysts presence in the green-winged-saltator Saltator similis, and its use in the diagnosis of coccidiosis in wild birds in captivity. A total of 220 fecal samples were collected from birds, apprehended from illegal trading and kept in quarantine in CETAS∕IBAMA, in the morning and late afternoon, from May to November 2010. It was observed that 1.82% of the samples collected in the morning were positive, while 31.36% of samples were positive in the late afternoon. In addition, the number of oocysts shed was greater in the afternoon. Therefore, it was concluded that the sampling in the late afternoon provided greater reliability for the diagnosis of coccidiosis in green-winged-saltators. Moreover, in this study a new isosporoid coccidian parasite from the green-winged-saltator S. similis was observed and is herein described. Isospora similisi n. sp. oocysts are spheroidal to sub-spheroidal, 27.5 × 25.9 µm, with a smooth and bi-layered wall, ∼1.2 mm. Micropyle and oocyst residuum are absent, but splinter-like or comma-like granules are present. Sporocysts are ellipsoidal or slightly ovoidal, 17.4 × 12.2 mm. A stieda body and substieda body are present. The sporocyst residuum is composed of granules of different sizes. Sporozoites are vermiform with a single refractile body and a nucleus. This is the fourth description of an isosporoid coccidium infecting S. similis and the sixth description from Cardinalidae.
Highlights
The green-winged saltator Saltator similis Lafresnaye d’Orbigny, 1837 is a cardinalid bird resident in Brazil
The majority of species of coccidia that infect passerines belong to the genus Isospora and during their developmental cycle, which includes oocyst shedding, there is a diurnal periodicity (BOUGHTON, 1937; DOLNIK, 2006)
These results are similar to those of Boughton (1933, 1937, 1988), Dolnik (1999, 2006), Brown et al (2001), López et al (2007), Lindstrom et al (2009), Martinaud et al (2009), Filipiak et al (2009), Dolnik et al (2010), Morin-Adeline et al (2011) and Pap et al (2011), where, in spite of different latitudes and longitudes, it was reported that the late afternoon was the most reliable period for sampling because it is the period during which oocyst shedding is greatest
Summary
The green-winged saltator Saltator similis Lafresnaye d’Orbigny, 1837 is a cardinalid bird resident in Brazil. The phenomenon of diurnal periodicity has been observed in species of intestinal parasites, especially the genus Isospora Schneider, 1881 (Protozoa: Apicomplexa) in wild birds, which eliminated their oocysts more frequently in the late afternoon (BOUGHTON, 1937; DOLNIK, 1999, 2006; BROWN et al, 2001; LÓPEZ et al, 2007; MARTINAUD et al, 2009). Many studies on the periodicity of elimination of oocysts have been conducted in several species of passerines such as: blackcap Sylvia atricapilla L., 1758; island canary Serinus canaria L., 1758; garden warbler Sylvia borin Boddaert, 1783; Eurasian blackbird Turdus merula L., 1758; European greenfinch Carduelis chloris L., 1758; house finch Carpodacus mexicanus Müller, 1776; small ground-finch Geospiza fuliginosa Gould, 1837; regent honeyeater Xanthomyza phrygia Shaw, 1794; and house sparrow Passer domesticus L., 1758 (BOX, 1977; BRAWNER III; HILL, 1999; BROWN et al, 2001; DOLNIK, 2006; LÓPEZ et al, 2007; LINDSTROM et al, 2009; MARTINAUD et al, 2009; DOLNIK et al, 2010; MORINADELINE et al, 2011; PAP et al, 2011)
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
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 callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
