Prevalence of blood parasites in different local populations of reed warbler (Acrocephalus scirpaceus) and great reed warbler (Acrocephalus arundinaceus)

Abstract

Blood parasite prevalence in two related warbler species (Acrocephalus arundinaceus and A. scirpaceus) was studied at three Bulgarian sites that differed mainly in altitude and weather. The prevalence of Haemoproteus, the most common parasite genus, was significantly lower at the highest altitude site (730 m above sea level, asl). Such a pattern was not found in ectoparasite-transmitted Hepatozoon. This can be explained with worsening conditions for the development of free-flying vectors with altitude and suggests loosening of the host-parasite conflict at higher breeding sites. The total heamatozoan prevalence was significantly higher in great reed warbler, compared with reed warbler especially as regards Haemoproteus parasites.