PARTICIPATION OF INSECTS IN SPREADING PARASITIC INVASION IN GEESE REARED IN A TRADITIONAL WAY

NATURAL SCIENCE S (fonnerly: Acta Academiae Agriculturae ac Technicae O1stenensis) Abbrev.: Natur. Sc., No 1, Y. 1998 PARTICIPATION OF INSECTS IN SPREADING PARASITIC INVASION IN GEESE REARED IN A TRADITIONAL WAY Maria Szelqgiewicz 1, Rajmund Sokół 1, Anna Spodniewska 2 lchair of Parasitology and Parasitic Diseases, 2Department of Veterinary and Environmental Toxicology K e y wo r d s: geese, parasites, pasture, insects, transmission of parasites. Summary The studies were conducted in a private fann near Olsztyn, from May to October 1996. Recent goose excrements were collected in May and October and examined for developmental stages of parasites, using the decantation and Fulleborn tlotation methods. Once a month, from May to October, 5 soil sampies (of the same volume) and the same number of turf sampies were collected from pasture lands. Turf sampies were examined for the oocysts, eggs and larvae of parasites: Insects were obtained from soil sampies and examined for the degree of their infestation with different forms of bird parasites. Coccidias (Eimeria sp.) and nematodes (Amnidostomum anseris, Ascaridia gaili and Trichostrongylus sp.) were found in the geese. A few developmental fonns of bird parasites were found in the turf and on insects. Oocysts of Eimeria sp. (14), eggs of Trichostrongylus sp. (30) and eggs of nematodes from the group,jleterakis-ascaridia" (6) were found in the turf, while 2 Eimeria sp. oocysts and 4 eggs of Trichostrongylus sp. were found on the insects. The results show that the role of insects in spreading parasitic invasions of birds was smaller in the examined biotope than it had been previsted. UDZIAŁ OWADÓW W SZERZENIU SIĘ INWAZJI PASOŻYTNICZYCH U GĘSI W CHOWIE TRADYCYJNYM* Maria Szelqgiewicz 1, Rajmund Sokół1, Anna Spodniewska 2 lkatedra Parazytologii i Chorób Inwazyjnych, 2zaklad Toksykologii Weterynaryjnej i Środowiskowej S I o w a k l u c z o we: gęsi, pasożyty, pastwisko, owady, przenoszenie pasożytów. * Praca wykonana w ramach tematu badawczego nr 04.120.201

72 M. Szelqgiewicz, R. Sokół, A. Spodnie wsk a Streszczenie Badania przeprowadzono od maja do października 1996 roku w prywatnym gospodarstwie rolnym koło Olsztyna. W maju i październiku od gęsi pobrano świeży pomiot i poszukiwano w nim rozwojowych form pasożytów metodą dekantacji i flotacji FulIeborna. Od maja do października, raz w miesiącu, pobierano z pastwiska po 5 (objętościowo stałych) próbek glebowych i tyle samo próbek darniowych. W próbach darniowych poszukiwano oocyst, jaj i larw pasożytów, z próbek glebowych pozyskiwano owady i sprawdzano stopień ich zarażenia rozwojowymi formami pasożytów ptaków. U gęsi stwierdzono występowanie kokcydiów (Eimeria sp.) oraz nicieni (Amnidostomum anseris, Ascaridia galii i Trichostrongylus sp.). W badanej darni i na owadach znaleziono niewielką ilość form rozwojowych pasożytów ptaków. W darni były to oocysty Eimeria sp. (14), jaja Trichostrongylus sp. (30) i jaja nicieni z umownej grupy "Heterakis-Ascaridia" (6); na owadach zaś znaleziono 2 oocysty Eimeria sp. i 4 jaja Trichostrongylus sp. Wyniki badań wskazują, że rola owadów w rozprzestrzenianiu form inwazyjnych pasożytów ptaków w badanym biotopie okazała się mniejsza niż przypuszczano. Introduction Domestic birds are frequently subject to the invasions caused by internal parasites. These invasions are especially extensive and intensive in the breeding farms (CLINCHY, BARKER1994, MICHALSKI 1977, MICHALSKI, ŚLIWIŃSKA 1980, TERESZKIEWICZ 1985, WIECZOROWSKI 1981). Such farm s are characterised by excessive densities of one bird species, resulting in an accumulation of invasive parasite forms in the environment and facilitated spreading of an invasion. Invasions occurring in a traditional bird breeding are much richer in parasite species than in the case of farm breeding, but their extensiveness and intensity are usually lower. Intermediate hosts play an important role in preserving the parasites in the environment in both systems of bird breeding, and so do the reserve and accidental hosts, as well as mechanical transfers. It seems that insects may be especially important in these processes. The objective of the studies was to assess the infestation of geese with internal parasites, and also to determine the role of insects in transferring these parasites in a selected breeding farm. Materiał and methods Studies were conducted from May to October 1996, in a private farm near Olsztyn. The farm bred a number of animals, in this also gees e (50 adult and 20 goslings). The geese could use a large pasture land and a nearby pond from early spring tiu autumn. The same pasture was used for cow browsing; hares were seen there, and the pond was visited by wild ducks and swans.

Partieipation ofinseets in spreading parasitie... 73 TotalIy 140 recent excrement sampies were coliected from the geese in May and October (70 sampies each month) and examined using the decantation (searching tapeworm segments) and FulIeborn llotation as modified by Darling (looking for oocysts and parasite eggs). Materiais for parasitic and entomological examination of the pasture were coliected once a month, from May to October, from 5 randomly selected turf sampies (10 x 10) and soil sampies (20 x 20 x 5 cm). Parasite oocysts, eggs and larvae were determined in turf sampies, and insects were coliected from soil sampies. Turf sampies were first washed twice with 100 mi of water, on a large Petri dish. A few drops of 1% eosin were added and smali portions were examined under a macroscopic magnifying glass MSt-130. If parasite oocysts, eggs or larvae were found, the sample was again examined under a microscope. Insects were treated with chloroform and coliected from the turf and soil using tweezers. Each insect was washed with water, lightly parting its wings and limbs if necessary, and the obtained rinsing was examined under a microscope. Systematic position of each insect was determined to its family, using entomological keys popular in Poland. Then the insects were selected looking for the larvae of bird and mammai parasites. Developmental stages of the parasites found on insects and in turf were determined to the genus using the usual parasitological methods. The only exception were eggs of bird worms and pinworms (Ascaridia sp. and Heterakis sp.); their detailed determination was not possible in the experimental conditions, so they were treated as one group "Heterakis-Ascaridia". Results Examination of the geese Extensiveness of the infestation of geese with internal parasites in spring was 24% in mature birds and 15% in goslings; the respective values in autumn were 24% and 45%. AlI positive spring (V) and autumn (X) sampies contained oocysts of coccidia (Eimeria sp.). In addition to this, eggs of A. anseris (8%), Trichostrongylus sp. (14%) and A. galli (5%) were found in mature geese. In the case of goslings, eggs of Trichostrongylus sp. were found in one sample only (5%). In autumn ali positive sampies, both of mature birds and goslings, contained oocysts of coccidia and eggs of the above-mentioned nematode genera and species (Tab. 1).

74 M. Szelągiewicz, R. Sokół, A. Spodniewska Table 1 Tabela 1 Month Miesiąc V Geese Gęsi I adult " dorosłe goslings gąsięta Results of parasitological investigations of goose excrement Wyniki parazytologicznego badania pomiotu gęsi Number of samples Liczba prób Kinds and species oc parasites Rodzaje i gatunki pasożytów investi- positive Eimeria Amidosto- Trichostron- IAscaridia gated dodatnich TTUlm anserls gylus galii badanych sp. sp. % % % % % 50 12 24 12 24 4 8 7 14 5 10 20 3 15 3 15-1 5 - X Total Ogółem altogether razem adult dorosłe goslings gąsięta altogether razem 70 15 21 15 21 4 5.7 8 11.4 5 7.1 50 12 24 12 24 11 22 9 18 8 16 20 9 45 9 45 4 20 4 20 5 25 70 21 30 21 30 15 21 13 18.5 13 18.5 140 36 25.7 36 25.7 19 13.5 21 15 18 12.8 Examination of the turf Totally 30 turf sampies were collected from the pasture land between May and October (5 each month), of total area of 150 cm 2. They yielded 50 parasite developmental forms, the majority of which (30) were eggs and larvae of nematodes from the family Trichostrongylidae, and oocysts of Eimeria sp. (14). There were also 6 eggs of bird parasites belonging to the established group,jieterakis-ascaridia". Numbers of eggs of other parasites ranged from 3 to 7. Frequency of the examined parasites was fairly differentiated in the material described. The highest numbers were found in June, July and August (10, 17, 10), the lowest in October (2). Their numbers were 5 to 6 in the other months (Tab. 2).

Participation ot insects in spreading parasitic... 75 Table 2 Tabela 2 Developmental stages of bird parasites found in the turf sampies of the pasture land examined Formy rozwojowe pasożytów ptaków znalezione w próbach darni badanego pastwiska Month Miesiąc Parasites Developmental stages Pasożyty of parasites Formy rozwojowe pasożytów Trichostron- Hetemkisgylidae Eimeria sp. Ascaridia Total Razem V number of oocysts and eggs 2 3 1 6 VI number of oocysts and e~gs - 8 2 10 \ VII number of oocysts and eggs 7 7 -+- (2)* 1 17 vm number of oocysts and eggs 4 2 -+- (4)* - 10 ]X X Total Razem number of oocysts and eggs number of oocysts and eggs - 4 1 5 1-1 2 14 24 -+- (6)* 6 50 ( )* -larvae ()* -larwy Entomological-parasitological studies Totally 1.2 m 3 of soil were eollected in the eourse of the studies, in whieh 331 insects were found (in this 284 imago forms and 47 Iarvae). Representatives of the Coleoptera order were the most numerous - 142 inseets (30 Iarvae and 112 imago forms), and within this order - Curculionidae dominated: 40 insects (3 Iarvae and 37 mature individuals). Also ants (Formicidae) were quite numerous - 111 individuals. The Diptera order was represented mostly by Musicidae - 35 insects (12 Iarvae and 23 adults). Acrididae and Cerambycidae proved to be the Ieast numerous - 1 speeimen of eaeh, the same being true of Miridae (2 speeimens) and Tabanidae (4 speeimens), (Tab. 3). From among all insects found, 4 adult forms (1.2%) had on them developmental stages of the parasites that might invade birds. AlI the eolleeted Iarvae were free af parasites (Tab. 3).

76 M. Szelągiewicz, R. Sokół, A. Spodniewska Table 3 Tabela 3 Results of entomological investigations Wyniki badań entomologicznych Including transmitters Order Family Larvae Imagines Together of parasites Rząd Rodzina Larwy lmagines Razem W tym przenosicieli pasożytów Orthoptera Acrididae - 1 1 - - Dermaptera Aphididae.---... 8 8 - - Heteroptera Miridae - 2 2 - - % Coleoptera Diptera Hymenoptera Total Razem Carabidae 11 19 30 Staphylinidae 3 29 32 1 3.3 Elateridae - - 9 11 20 Ceramhycidae - 1 1 Curculionidae 3 37 40 - - 2 10.5 Scarabaeidae 4 15 19 Bibionidae 10 10 Tabanidae 4 4 Syrphidae - 7 7 - - Muscidae 12 23 35 1 2.8 Formicidae - 111 111 - Noctuidae 5 6 11 - - 47 284 331 4 1.2 6 developmental forms of bird parasites were collected from these insects: Eimeria sp. oocysts (2) and Trichostrongylidae eggs (6), (Tab. 4). Discussion Traditional breeding, in which birds are free to move around the farm and the neighbouring land, protects the animai against strong parasite invasions. Pasture land, however, may become a potential source of parasites if it is grazed upon by many domestic as well as wild animals, as has been observed by DRóżnż 1961, GRAFFNER et al. 1969 and KOTRL'y et al. KOTRL'A (1973). The same or closely related parasite species were found in domestic and wild lamellirostral birds (BEZUBIK 1956, CZAPLIŃSKI 1961). The pasture under study was visited not only by farm geese, but also wild swans and

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78 M. Szelągiewicz, R. Sokół, A. Spodnie wsk a ducks. Notwithstanding this, numbers of typical goose parasites and their developmental stages were negligible (only 6 eggs from the group "Heterakis-Ascaridia" were found in the turf). The same was true of other parasites that might occur in birds: 14 oocysts of Eimeria sp. and 30 developmental stages (eggs and larvae) of the genu s Trichostrongylus. It is generally assumed that Pterygota insects play an important role as mechanical parasite transmitters, thereby contributing to parasite cycling in the environment, especially within farm s and their natural neighbourhood. These insects, and Muscidae most of all, have been found to act as transmitters for many bird and animai parasites (KASPRZAK, MAJEWSKA1981, SUCHOVA TALYMIN1951, SYCEWSKAJA, PIETROVA1958). In many cases, however, numbers of parasites taking part in this phenomenon, as well as of their developmental stages, are fairly low in animai breeding biotopes (SZELĄGIEWICZ 1991, 1992). This is confirmed by the results of these studies, in which 331 insects were collected from the pasture land, but only 4 of them (1.2%) had parasite forms on them, none ofwhich belonged to the group "Heterakis-Ascaridia". Conclusions The results obtained suggest that the pasture land examined was of no greater significance as a parasitic threat to goose flocks (increased infestation of goslings), and that insects inhabiting this area played little role in parasite cycling within the biotope. Reviewer: prof. zw. dr hab. L. GUNDLACH Translated by MARIABNIŃSKA Accepted for print 1998.04.01 REFERENCES BEZUBIKB. 1956. Helminto{auna dzikich kaczek (podr. Anatinae). Acta Parasit. Pol., 4 (10): 407-510. CLINCHYM., BARKER1. K 1994. Dynamics o{ parasitic in{ections o{ tour sites within lesser snow geese (Chen caerulescens caerulescans) {rom the breeding colony at La Perouse Bay, Manitoba, Canada. J. Parasit. 80 (4): 663-666. CZAPLIŃSKIB. 1961. Lista gatunków Aschelminthes stwierdzonych u Anseri{ormes domowych i dzikich w Polsce. Wiad. Para zyt., 7: 213-216, Suppl. DRÓŻDŻ J. 1961. Wymiana pasożytów między zwierzyną płową (Cervidae) a przeżuwaczami' domowymi. Wiad. Para zyt. 7: 287-291. /' GRAFFNERG., EICHHORNG., BENDAA. 1969. Zur Rolle des Rehwildes bei der Verseuchnung der Rinderweiden mit Lungenwurmlerven. Mh. Vet.-Med., 23: 412-414. KAsPRZAKW., MAJEWSK A 1981. Przenoszenie cyst Giardia. 1. Rola owadów synatropowych. Wiad. Parazyt. 27: 555-556. KOTRL'yA., KOTRL'AB. 1973. Helminthoses o{ wild ungulates in connection with helminthoses o{ domestic animals. Communicationes Instituti Forstalis Cechslovaniae, 8: 13-28.

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