The protozoan Haemoproteus nettionis was found in 77 of 168 wood ducks (Aix sponsa L.) live-trapped on the Upper Mississippi River Wildlife and Fish Refuge in September, 1963. No parasitemia was found in 68 wood ducks live-trapped in July and August, 1959 at the Union Slough National Wildlife Refuge in north-central Iowa. A description of the parasite from wood ducks on the Upper Mississippi Refuge is presented

Haugen, Arnold O.

Roslien, David J.

English

Name not available

Occurrence of Haemoproteus nettionis in Wood Ducks (Aix sponsa L.)

University of Northern Iowa

Proceedings of the Iowa Academy of ScienceVolume 71 | Annual Issue Article 381964Occurrence of Haemoproteus nettionis in WoodDucks (Aix sponsa L.)David J. RoslienIowa State UniversityArnold O. HaugenIowa State UniversityCopyright © Copyright 1964 by the Iowa Academy of Science, Inc.Follow this and additional works at: https://scholarworks.uni.edu/piasThis Research is brought to you for free and open access by UNI ScholarWorks. It has been accepted for inclusion in Proceedings of the Iowa Academyof Science by an authorized editor of UNI ScholarWorks. For more information, please contact scholarworks@uni.edu.Recommended CitationRoslien, David J. and Haugen, Arnold O. (1964) "Occurrence of Haemoproteus nettionis in Wood Ducks (Aix sponsa L.)," Proceedingsof the Iowa Academy of Science: Vol. 71: No. 1 , Article 38.Available at: https://scholarworks.uni.edu/pias/vol71/iss1/38Occurrence of Haemoproteus nettionis m Wood Ducks (Aix sponsa L.)1 DAVID J. RosLIEN2 and ARNOLD 0. HAUGEN3 Abstract. The protozoan Haemoproteus nettionis was found in 77 of 168 wood ducks ( Aix sponsa L.) live-trapped on the Upper Mississippi River Wildlife and Fish Refuge in September, 1963. No parasitemia was found in 68 wood clucks live-trapped in July and August, 1959 at the Union Slough National \Vilcllife Refuge in north-central Iowa. A description of the parasite from wood ducks on the Upper Mississippi Refuge is presented. Haemoproteus was first reported from Anatidae by Johnston and Cleland, ( 1909) in the Australian teal ( Anas ( nettion) ca-staneam). They named the parasite H alteridium nettionis, which was later recognized as Haemoproteus nettionis. Since 1909 Haemoproteus has been reported from 25 species of waterfowl. Coatney ( 1936), Levine and Hanson ( 1953), and Herman ( 1954) reviewed most of the records of Haemoproteus from waterfowl. Nelson and Gashwiler ( 1941 ) first reported H aemoproteus from wood ducks ( Aix sponsa L. ) in Maine. Herman ( 1954) reported a similar parasitemia in wood ducks from Maryland. Herman ( 1954) suggested Haemoproteus nettionis (Johnston and Cleland, 1909) Coatney, 1936 be accepted as the correct name for Haemoproteus in North American Anatidae. This classification was followed in this paper. Herman ( 1954) listed synonyms for Haemoproteus in waterfowl and an amended description of the parasite. Levine and Hanson ( 1953) discussed the morphological characteristics of H aemoproteus in several species of waterfowl. Comparisons of Haemoproteus from various waterfowl species have been based on morphological information, and few data are available on cross-transmission experiments. Additional studies are needed to determine if morphological differences found by several authors are valid criteria for separating Haemoproteus in Anatidae into more than one species. Haiba ( 1946) named a parasite from the black duck ( Anas rubripes) 1 Journal Paper No. J-4863 of the Iowa Agricultural and Home Economics Experi-ment Station, Ames, Iowa. Project No. 1390. Jointly financed by the Iowa Cooperative Wildlife Research Unit, the Bureau of Sport Fisheries and Wildlife (U.S. Dept. Interior), Iowa State University of Science and Technology, Iowa State Conservation Commis-sion, and the Wildlife Management Institute. 2 Graduate Assistant, Iowa State University, Ames. ~ Professor, Towa State University, Biologist, Bureau of Sport Fisheries and Wildlife, Ames. 235 1Roslien and Haugen: Occurrence of Haemoproteus nettionis in Wood Ducks (Aix sponsa L.Published by UNI ScholarWorks, 1964236 IOWA ACADEMY OF SCIENCE [Vol. 71 Haemoproteus anatis. Levine and Hanson ( 1953) choose the same name for a parasite of the Canada goose ( Branta canaden-sis interior). They based their identification on morphological differences with described types, and cross-transmission experi-ments were not conducted. Levine and Hanson agreed that Haemoproteus nettionis is the proper name for Haemoproteus in the Anatidae if Haemoproteus anatis is cross transmissible (Herman, 1954). The parasite found in this study was not mor-phologically similar to all the various descriptions of waterfowl Haemoproteus in the literature; however, cross-transmission ex-periments were not performed. Thus, it was logical to identify the parasite as Haemoproteus nettionis until new evidence in-dicates it might be another species. The occurrence of H aemoproteus in wood ducks in Iowa was unknown prior to this study. Farmer ( 1960) and Roslien ( 1963) found Haemoproteus in non-game species in Iowa, and it was assumed conditions were suitable for the parasite. This study was undertaken to determine the prevalence of Haemoproteus and other blood parasites in selected wood duck populations. STUDY AREAS Blood smears were prepared from wood ducks at three loca-tions. Smears from 168 ducks on pools 9 and 10 of the Upper Mississippi River Wildlife and Fish Refuge in northeast Iowa were prepared in September, 1963. Blood smears from 68 ducks on the Union Slough National Wildlife Refuge in northcentral Iowa (Kossuth County) were prepared in July and August, 1959. The Upper Mississippi River Refuge supported large numbers of wood ducks during summer and autumn while the Union Slough Refuge supported fewer wood ducks during these breed-ing and migration periods. MATERIALS AND METHODS Peripheral-blood smears were prepared from wood ducks live-trapped by refuge personnel operating seasonal banding traps. Blood drawn from the brachia! vein was used to make the smears as recommended by McClure and Cedeno ( 1955). The smears were air-dried and fixed in methyl alcohol for 1 minute before being stained in unbuffered Giemsas' stain ( 1:40 for 30 minutes). An A. 0. Spencer binocular microscope with lOX oculars and a lOX objective was used for preliminary examination of blood smears. Erythrocytes which appeared parasitized under low power ( lOOX) were inspected under oil immerson ( 970X). If a smear appeared negative under low power, it was examined under oil immersion for 10 minutes. Smears containing parasitiz-ed cells were usually located after 1 or 2 minutes of seaching at 2Proceedings of the Iowa Academy of Science, Vol. 71 [1964], No. 1, Art. 38https://scholarworks.uni.edu/pias/vol71/iss1/381964] WOOD DUCK 237 low power. All smears were examined for at least 10 minutes with observations of from 250-350 different fields. Haemoproteus nettionis was characterized under oil immerson and specific identification accomplished by making comparisons with pub-lished descriptions. RESULTS AND D1SCUSSION Haemoproteus Prevalence. Blood smears prepared from 168 wood ducks captured on the Upper Mississippi River Refuge revealed 77 positive for Haernoproteus (Table 1). Parasitemias occurred in 43% of 21 adults and in 46% of 147 immatures. Blood smears prepared from 68 wood ducks at Union Slough Refuge were negative for protozoan blood parasites (Table 2). T;:ble I. Age Adult Adult Immature Irnmatun; Table 2. Age Adult Adult Immature Immature Prevalence of Haemoproteus nettionis in wood ducks trapped on the Upper Mississippi River Refuge, September, 1963. Sex Male Female Male Female Sample Incidence Number Per cent Number Per cent examined of sample positive positive 13 8 7 54 8 5 2 25 84 50 38 45 63 37 30 48 168 100 77 Avg. 46 Prevalence of Haemoproteus nettionis in wood ducks trapped on the Union Slough Refuge, July and August 1959. Sample Incidence Number Per cent Number Per cent Sex examined of sample positive positive Male 14 21 0 0 Female 3 4 0 0 Male 39 57 0 0 Female 12 18 0 0 68 100 0 0 H aemoproteus Description. Smears prepared from peripheral blood revealed sexual stages of Haemoproteus in the erythro-cytes of the wood duck. Mature gametocytes were observed often and young stages were rare. The absence of young stages was anticipated since the smears were prepared in September and peak transmission probably occurred in July and August. Gametocytes usually occupied cytoplasm of the host cell ex-cept for occasional free forms which were rounded. Microgame-tocytes appeared bluish-pink when stained with Giemsas stain ( 1 :40 for 30 Minutes). Nuclear material stained pink and was diffused throughout the parasite. Macrogametocytes stained light blue and showed alveolar cytoplasm. Nuclear material in the female stained red and was located in a compact oblong mass in the center of the parasite. 3Roslien and Haugen: Occurrence of Haemoproteus nettionis in Wood Ducks (Aix sponsa L.Published by UNI ScholarWorks, 1964238 IOWA ACADEMY OF SCIENCE [Vol. 71 The parasite usually did not enlarge the host erythrocyte or displace the host cell nucleous (Figure 1) . Occasionally the host cell appeared elongate, or its nucleous was displaced by the gametocyte (Figure 1). Many forms of waterfowl Haernoproteus have been reported to laterally displace the nucleous of the host cell. This was observed by Levine and Hanson ( 1953) in the Canada goose, by Johnston and Cleland ( 1909) in Australian teal, and by Herman ( 1938, 1954) in the black duck ( Anas rubripes) and wood duck respectively. .. ~~ -, -\ Figure 1. R ed b lood cells of a wood duck showing two cells 1rnras itized with Jlaemoproteus nettionis; "an is an infected cell as it usually appears, and "b" shows a rare form with the nucleus to one side. Wetmore ( 1941) and Haiba ( 1946, 1948) reported similar dis-placement of the host nucleous . The absence of nuclear dis-placement observed in this study was also noted by Leger ( 1918) working with the Muscovy duck ( Cairina ( Anas) mos-chata), which is closely related to the wood duck. Nelson and Gashwiler ( 1941) observed H aemoproteus in the wood duck, but failed to mention parasite morphology. Some parasitized cells displayed a narrow irregular band of cytoplasm between the parasite cell membrane and the nucleus of the host cell. Herman ( 1954) and Levine and Hanson ( 1953 ) observed a similar characteristic. The cell membrane of the parasite was in close contact with the erythrocyte cell mem-brane over at least one-half of its periphery. Wetmore (1941 ) reported that Haemoproteus gametocytes in the common mallard ( Anas p. playrhynchos) were in contact with the host cell periphery. Mature gametocytes usually filled the entire host cell cytoplasm. An occasional gametocyte did not fill a small area of cytoplasm on one side of the host cell nucleous. Pigment granules were numerous in most gametocytes with a mean number of 37 ( 27-51) per parasite. The granules were usually round and varied from small to moderate in size. Large granules were not observed. The pigment granules appeared rod-shaped in a few parasites. Granules were usually numerous near the poles of the parasite. Gametocytes with uniform disb'i-bution of granules in the cytoplasm were seldom observed. 4Proceedings of the Iowa Academy of Science, Vol. 71 [1964], No. 1, Art. 38https://scholarworks.uni.edu/pias/vol71/iss1/381964] WOOD DUCK 239 Johnston and Clelands' ( 1909) original description of Haemo-proteus in Australian teal indicated 13-30 pigment granules dis-tributed more or less uniformly in the cytoplasm with a tendency to be more numerous at the poles. Levine and Hanson ( 1953) reported Haemoproteus in the Canada goose contained 16 to more than 30 medium-sized round pigment granules distributed throughout the cytoplasm with a tendency to be more numerous at the ends. Leger ( 1918) reported numerous pigment granules in Haemoproteus from the Muscovy duck. H aemoproteus from the white-winged duck ( Asarcomis scutulata) contained 50-60 pigment granules per gemetocyte ( Kowarski et al., 1937). The number of pigment granules appears to vary in different hosts, although other morphological features are similar. Gametocytes averaged 14.0 microns, and mature gametocytes ranged from 12.4 to 16.1 microns in length. Parasitemias ranged from one infected erythrocyte per 100 fields ( 970X) to two infected erythrocytes per single oil immerson field. H aemoproteus Transmission. Herman ( 1954) succeeded in transmitting Haemorproteus nettionis from wood ducks to Indian runner ducks ( Anas platyrhynchos). He concluded the vector was probably a free-flying insect since transmission occurred away from water as well as near water. Fallis and Wood ( 1957) suggest Haemoproteus in waterfowl is transmitted by biting midges ( Ceratopogonidae). Herman ( 1954) reported the duration of parasitemia as 7 to 12 days. Such a duration indicated that transmission on the Upper Mississippi River Refuge probably occurred during late July or August. Studies of transmission of Haemoproteus in northeast Iowa must be completed before it can be determined if the vector( s) are Ceratopogonidae or the traditional Haemo-proteus vector Hippoboscidae. No authentic reports of hippobo-scid flies on Anatidae occurred in the literature ( Bequaert, 1953). Ha,emoproteus Absence. Lack of parasitemia in wood ducks captured at Union Slough Refuge in July and August suggested the absence of some element in the life cycle of H aemoproteus on the area during the study period. The vector potential at Union Slough is far less than at Pools 9 and 10 of the Upper Mississippi River, and this might explain the lack of parasitized ducks. Fewer wood ducks at Union Slough may have provided an insufficient reservoir potential for transmission to occur. Further studies on the two refuges probably would determine the reasons for variations in parasitemia. ACKNOWLEDGMENTS The authors are grateful to Refuge Managers Harold Burgess, 5Roslien and Haugen: Occurrence of Haemoproteus nettionis in Wood Ducks (Aix sponsa L.Published by UNI ScholarWorks, 1964240 IO\'VA ACADEMY OF SCIENCE [Vol. 71 Leroy Sowl and Jim Hubert for assistance in capturing wood ducks. Elwood Martin, former Wildlife Research Assistant, pre-pared blood smears from ducks at Union Slough Refuge. Dale Hein, Wildlife Graduate Assistant, assisted with various phases of planning and carrying out the study on the Upper Mississippi River Refuge. Literature Cited Bequaert, J. C. 1953. Entomologica Americana 22: 1-209. Coatney, G. R. 1936. J. Parasit. 22:88-105. Fallis, A. M. and D. M. Wood. 1957. Canad. J. Zool. 35:425-435. Fanner, J. 1960. Proc. Iowa Acad. Sci. 67:591-597. Haiba, M. H. 1946. J. Roy. Egypt. Med. Assoc. 29:207-210. ------. 1948. J. Comp. Path. and Therap. 58:81-93. Herman, C. M. 1938. J. Parasit. 24:53-56. ------. 1944. Bird-Banding 15:89-112. ------. 19.'54. Proc. Helmint. Soc. Wash. 21:37-42. Johnston, T. H. and J. B. Cleland. 1909. Proc. Linn. Soc. N.S. Wales 34: 501-513. Kowarsk, T., M. A. Pasquier, G. Piett and M. J. Nouvel. 1937. Ann. Parasit. 15: 529-536. Leger, M. 1918. Bui. Soc. Path. Exoz. 11: 124-130. Levine, N. D. and H. C. Hanson. 1953. J. Wild!. Mgmt. 17: 185-196. l\fcClure, H. E. and R. Cedena. 1955. J. Wild!. Mgmt. 19:477-478. Nelson, E. C. and J. S. Gashwiler. 1941. J. Wild!. Mgmt. 5:199-205. Roslien, D. J. 1963. Blood parasites in relation to Iowa quail. Unpub. M.S. thesis. Filed in Iowa State Univ. Library. Ames. Wetmore, P. W. 1941. J. Parasit. 27:379-393. 6Proceedings of the Iowa Academy of Science, Vol. 71 [1964], No. 1, Art. 38https://scholarworks.uni.edu/pias/vol71/iss1/38

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Occurrence of Haemoproteus nettionis in Wood Ducks (Aix sponsa L.)

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