Abstract
Central Chile has been identified as a unique ecosystem with high conservation priority because of its high levels of endemism and intensive anthropic pressure. Over a period of almost four decades, the monk parakeet has been successful in establishing and dispersing in urban Santiago, although little is known about its potential impact. Furthermore, nothing is known about its epidemiological risks towards animals or even humans. For this reason, we conducted the first parasitic survey of monk parakeets in Chile through capture, necropsy and thorough external and internal inspection of 92 adult individuals. Among these, 45.7% presented lice that were identified as Paragoniocotes fulvofasciatum, 1.1% had mesostigmatid acari and 8.9% had free-ranging acari. Among 89 parakeets, 19.1% had structures identified as Cryptosporidium sp. This study provides the first description of Cryptosporidium sp. in monk parakeets. Along with the presence of a mesostigmatid acarus in one parakeet, this serves as a public health warning, given that both of these parasites have zoonotic potential.
Highlights
The monk parakeet (Myiopsitta monachus) is a medium-sized sexually monomorphic parrot originally distributed in Paraguay, Uruguay, Bolivia, southern Brazil and northern and central Argentina (EBERHARD, 1998)
This study provides the first description of Cryptosporidium sp. in monk parakeets
We provide the first description of Paragoniocotes fulvofasciatum in Chile
Summary
The monk parakeet (Myiopsitta monachus) is a medium-sized sexually monomorphic parrot originally distributed in Paraguay, Uruguay, Bolivia, southern Brazil and northern and central Argentina (EBERHARD, 1998). As non-migrants, they remain in their nests both for nesting and for roosting year-round (NAVARRO et al., 1995). It is the only parrot, among over 350 species, that is able to build its own communal nests, making them independent of the need for tree or cliff cavities (MARTIN & BUCHER, 1993). In Argentina, the monk parakeet’s original range is increasing southwards towards southern Patagonia (BUCHER & ARAMBURÚ, 2014) and, within its native range, it is currently considered to be a pest (ISSG, 2011).
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary 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
