Abstract
Population dynamics of round and elongate gametocytes of Leucocytozoon in wild and captive blue grouse (Dendragapus obscurus (Say)) from Hardwicke Island, British Columbia, were studied from 1980 to 1982. Blue grouse chicks were sampled weekly throughout each transmission season. Three patterns in the type of gametocyte produced during primary infection were observed in naturally infected captive and wild blue grouse chicks. Such variation in the expression of the gametocyte stage within a single host population suggests a different interpretation than has been previously reported for species of Leucocytozoon. The data from the primary patterns and profiles coupled with reexposure data and the asynchronous appearance of round and elongate gametocytes can be best interpreted as infection with two concurrent species of Leucocytozoon in blue grouse. More detailed research on the life cycle is necessary to confirm if two species of Leucocytozoon exist in blue grouse.
Published Version
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