Diversity of ecto and endoparasites in thrushes (Turdidae) of subtropical Andean Forests

Parasitism affects the growth, reproduction, and susceptibility to other infections of the hosts. Birds are hosts of a great variety of parasites, an interaction that is relevant in the dispersion of the birds and their pathogens. We studied the diversity of ectoparasites and endoparasites in three species of thrushes (Turdidae) with differences in their migratory behavior in subtropical Andean forest. We worked with Catharus ustulatus (Neartic latitudinal migrant), Turdus nigriceps (Austral latitudinal migrant of the Neotropics) and T. rufiventris (resident) in the Selva Montana of Yungas, Tucumán, Argentina. We inspect edevery host in search of ectoparasites, made blood smears for the study of hemoparasites and collected dregs for coproparasitologicals analysis. We reported: (1) Ectoparasites: Ixodes auritulus eI. pararicinus in both T. rufiventris and T. nigriceps and Ixodes sp. in the three especies of birds; (2) Hemoparasites: microfilaria in both Turdus; (3) Endoparasites: cestodes (Dilepis sp. and Wardium sp.) in both Turdus, three species of nematodes (e.g. Syngamus trachea and T. rufiventris, Superfamily Trichostrongiloidea in both Turdus and Order Spirurida in T. rufiventris), and two species of coccids of the Isospora genera in T. rufiventris and C. ustulatus. The diversity of prasites by species was related to the number of tested individuals, being T. rufiventris the most infested and C. ustulatus the less infested. Our results suggest that the interactions between parasites and thrushes are complex, and that although they are closely related species, their life histories could be influencing the nature and extent of the infestation.