<i>Haemoproteus</i> in barn and collared scops owls from Thailand

Abstract

The barn owl (BO) and the collared scops owl (CSO) are common nocturnal raptors throughout Thailand. Blood samples from 23 adult BOs and 14 CSOs were collected and processed for complete blood cell counts and parasite morphological examinations. Two <i>Haemoproteus</i>-positive samples were processed for ultrastructural observation. Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) analysis for a partial cytochrome <i>b</i> gene (cyt<i>b</i>) from <i>Haemoproteus</i> was performed in all samples. <i>Haemoproteus</i> presence detected by light microscopy was lower than that detected by PCR (30.4% and 34.8%, respectively, in BO; and 50.0% and 78.6%, respectively, in CSO). Comparative hematology revealed that <i>Haemoproteus</i>-positive BOs had higher mean cell hemoglobin concentration, total leukocyte, absolute heterophil, basophil, and monocyte counts than <i>Haemoproteus</i>-negative BOs, but no significant differences between <i>Haemoproteus</i>-negative and -positive CSOs. Monocyte ultrastructure analysis revealed a role in the elimination of gametocytes. Morphologically, the <i>Haemoproteus</i> in 3 BOs and 6 CSOs were identified as <i>H. noctuae</i>, while that in 1 CSO was identified as <i>H. syrnii</i>. Phylogenetic analysis indicated the <i>Haemoproteus</i> spp. in 8 BOs and 7 CSOs were not closely related to <i>H. noctuae</i> or <i>H. syrnii</i>, and the cyt<i>b</i> of 2 CSOs was that of <i>H. syrnii</i>. These results should be useful for study of <i>Haemoproteus</i>.