Investigating Blood Parasite (Haemosporidian) Infection Levels in Wood Ducks ( Aix sponsa )
Lane Boucher Biology
Emma Latza Biology
Bradley Neve Biology and Biochemistry
Allie Zerilli (Not Pictured) Biochemistry
Avian haemosporidia are a group of vector-borne protozoan parasites infecting a wide array of bird species across the globe. Wood ducks ( Aix sponsa ) are cavity-nesters and inhabit terrestrial areas and shallow edges of forested wetlands. These life history and behavioral traits may influence the risk of haemosporidian infection, which is understudied in waterfowl. Our research objective is to examine the infection prevalence of avian haemosporidia in Wood ducks, specifically considering age, sex, and year harvested to identify infection patterns. 45 hunter-donated Wood duck specimens, harvested from 2021 to 2024 from George W. Mead State Wildlife Area, were dissected. Dissection includes opening the body cavity and removing liver samples that are preserved in 95% ethanol. Molecular diagnostic methods are used on the liver samples including DNA extraction and Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) to distinguish species-level haemosporidian prevalence. In total, 27 out of 45 birds tested positive for haemosporidians (60% infection). Of the males, 21 of 36 were infected (58%) compared to 5 of 9 females (55%). Similarly, 27 adults were sampled and 12 tested positive (44%) compared to 9 of 12 juveniles (75%). Across each year of the study, 1 of 3 birds were infected in 2021 (33%), 15 of 20 (75%) in 2022, 10 of 21 (47%) in 2023, and 1 of 1 (100%) in 2024. Describing Wood duck haemosporidia infection levels provide a baseline to monitor future changes and provide valuable insights toward conservation efforts of the species.
Advisors: Jeffery Bell, Ph.D. Roxanne Gasperetti Vasyl Tkach, Ph.D. Sarah Orlofske, Ph.D.
Subject Area: Wildlife
Type: Poster
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Jim and Katie Krause CNR Student Research Symposium
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