Abstract

RODRIGUEZ GARCIA, Daisy et al. Behavior of theinfestation level by respiratory mites in ornamental birds during the period 2002 to 2020. Rev Salud Anim. [online]. 2022, vol.44  Epub Oct 01, 2022. ISSN 2224-4700.

Respiratory mites are blood-sucking parasites affecting nasal passages, paranasal sinuses, bronchial tree, lungs, and air sacs of ornamental and wild birds. The present study was aimed at determining the presence and level of infestation of the respiratory mite Sternostoma tracheacolum in ornamental birds, as well as those organs most affected by it. All ornamental birds, referred to the Parasitology Department of the Avian Research and Diagnostic Laboratory in the period 2002-2020, were examined in the study, resulting in a total of 1254 birds of 18 different species that were submitted for acarological diagnosis. The presence of S. tracheacolum was diagnosed and the comparison of proportions test was carried out to determine if there were significant differences between bird species and affected organs. The bird species positive for S. tracheacolum were Serinus canaria (24 %), Chloebia gouldiae (23 %), Padda oryzivora (11 %), Melopsittacus undulatus (10 %) and Agapornis ro- seicollis (0.5 %). The highest invasion rates appeared in S. canaria, C. gouldiae and P. oryzivora. The parasitized organs were: nasal passages, paranasal sinuses, trachea, lungs and air sacs. The highest number of mites was found in the trachea. As preliminary findings, a respiratory mite species was observed whose morphological characteristics did not correspond to those described for S. tracheacolum.

Keywords : Sternostoma tracheacolum; respiratory mites; psittacines; passerines.

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