<abstract xml:lang="en" xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml"><p>The aim of the study was to compare helminth community structure of urban and forest blackbird populations. 24 helminth species in 98 blackbirds were found. Higher species richness was noted in the forest population of the blackbird (23 species) in comparison to the urban population (14 species). The response of the helminth fauna to a synanthropic habitat, contrary to a natural habitat, consists in a significant reduction in most parasitological parameters. Higher species richness has been noted in spring (17 species) than in autumn (14 species). Urban habitat, in contrast to the forest, may cause changes in the abundance of helminth communities in male and female blackbirds. The helminth fauna of nestlings, in spite of low species richness is characterized by a higher prevalence and intensity of infection in comparison to blackbirds feeding on their own. Helminth fauna of the blackbird seems to be a good indicator of environmental quality.</p></abstract>

The aim of the study was to compare helminth community structure of urban and forest blackbird populations. 24 helminth species in 98 blackbirds were found. Higher species richness was noted in the forest population of the blackbird (23 species) in comparison to the urban population (14 species). The response of the helminth fauna to a synanthropic habitat, contrary to a natural habitat, consists in a significant reduction in most parasitological parameters. Higher species richness has been noted in spring (17 species) than in autumn (14 species). Urban habitat, in contrast to the forest, may cause changes in the abundance of helminth communities in male and female blackbirds. The helminth fauna of nestlings, in spite of low species richness is characterized by a higher prevalence and intensity of infection in comparison to blackbirds feeding on their own. Helminth fauna of the blackbird seems to be a good indicator of environmental quality.

Helminth community structure study on urban and forest blackbird (Turdus merula L.) populations in relation to seasonal bird migration on the south Baltic Sea coast (NW Poland)

Department of Ecology and Environmental Protection, University of Szczecin, Wąska 13, 75-015, Szczecin, Poland

Comenius Museum, Moravian Ornithological Station, Horní nám. 7, 750 02, Přerov, Czech Republic

Department of General Biology and Parasitology, Medical University of Warsaw, T. Chałubińskiego 5, 02-004, Warsaw, Poland

Department of Medical Parasitology, National Institute of Public Health — National Institute of Hygiene, Chocimska 24, 00-791, Warsaw, Poland

Department of Anatomy and Vertebrate Zoology, University of Szczecin, Wąska 13, 75-015, Szczecin, Poland

Helminthologia

This work is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 3.0 License.

The aim of the study was to compare helminth community structure of urban and forest blackbird populations. 24 helminth species in 98 blackbirds were found....

Helminth community structure study on urban and forest blackbird (Turdus merula L.) populations in relation to seasonal bird migration on the south Baltic Sea coast (NW Poland)

Published Online: Jun 26, 2014

Page range: 117 - 129

DOI: https://doi.org/10.2478/s11687-014-0219-6

Keywords
Turdus merula, helminths, urban, forest, migrations

© 2014 Institute of Parasitology, SAS, Košice, Slovakia

This work is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 3.0 License.

Helminth community structure study on urban and forest blackbird (Turdus merula L.) populations in relation to seasonal bird migration on the south Baltic Sea coast (NW Poland)

Published Online: Jun 26, 2014

Page range: 117 - 129

DOI: https://doi.org/10.2478/s11687-014-0219-6

KeywordsTurdus merula, helminths, urban, forest, migrations

© 2014 Institute of Parasitology, SAS, Košice, Slovakia

This work is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 3.0 License.

Keywords
Turdus merula, helminths, urban, forest, migrations