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Changes in parasite transmission stage excretion after pheasant release

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  12 April 2024

D. Villanúa ,
P. Acevedo ,
R. Toledo ,
U. Höfle ,
O. Rodríguez  and
C. Gortázar
D. Villanúa
Affiliation:
Instituto de Investigación en Recursos Cinegéticos (IREC, CSIC-UCLM-JCCM), Ronda de Toledo s/n, 13071 Ciudad Real, Spain
P. Acevedo
Affiliation:
Instituto de Investigación en Recursos Cinegéticos (IREC, CSIC-UCLM-JCCM), Ronda de Toledo s/n, 13071 Ciudad Real, Spain
R. Toledo
Affiliation:
Instituto de Investigación en Recursos Cinegéticos (IREC, CSIC-UCLM-JCCM), Ronda de Toledo s/n, 13071 Ciudad Real, Spain
U. Höfle
Affiliation:
CIA Deheson del Encinar, Consejería de Agricultura, Junta de Comunidades de Castilla La Mancha, Toledo, Spain:
O. Rodríguez
Affiliation:
EBRONATURA, c/ General Aguilera 3, 13001 Ciudad Real, Spain
C. Gortázar*
Affiliation:
Instituto de Investigación en Recursos Cinegéticos (IREC, CSIC-UCLM-JCCM), Ronda de Toledo s/n, 13071 Ciudad Real, Spain
*
*Author for correspondence E-mail: christian.gortazar@uclm.es Fax: +34 926 29 54 51
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Abstract

The production of parasite transmission stages was investigated in the faeces of 77 farm-bred ring-necked pheasants (Phasianus colchicus). Coccidian oocysts (Eimeria sp.), and nematode eggs (Heterakis sp., and Capillaria-like eggs) were recovered before and after release but all birds were treated prior to release. Treatment with fenbendazole significantly reduced the abundance of transmission-stage excretion for all parasites, and reduced the prevalence in the case of Eimeria sp. and Heterakis sp. Nonetheless, a significant increase in the excretion abundance for all parasites and in the prevalence of Eimeria sp. and Heterakis sp. was found after release. Eggs of Ascaridia sp. were found only after releasing, suggesting infection ocurred in the wild. A negative relationship was found between the pheasant body condition and Heterakis excretion abundance and a higher abundance of Capillaria sp. eggs in female birds. No significant relationship was found between parasite excretion abundance and pheasant survival. Despite this, results suggest that an increase in the excretion of parasite transmission stages follows the release of captive pheasants into the wild. This can in part explain restocking failures, but also means that autochtonous free-living birds may become exposed to new and potentially harmful pathogens. To avoid these risks it is proposed that improved prophylactic measures should be taken.

Type
Research Article
Information
Journal of Helminthology , Volume 80 , Issue 3 , September 2006 , pp. 313 - 318
Copyright
Copyright © Cambridge University Press 2006

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