Turdus obscurus Gmelin (Turdidae), 1789

Paperna, Ilan, Keong, Malcolm Soh Chu & May, Charlotte Yap Aye, 2008, Haemosporozoan Parasites Found In Birds In Peninsular Malaysia, Singapore, Sarawak And Java, Raffles Bulletin of Zoology 56 (2), pp. 211-243 : 239-240

Turdus obscurus Gmelin (Turdidae)

Haemoproteus fallisi Bennett & Campbell, 1972 ( Fig. 26 )

Locality. – Malaysia: Fraser’s Hill , Nov.2002 ; Cameron Highlands , Mar.2003 .

Type host. – Turdus migratorius ( Canada) .

Description. – The macrogametocyte-infected erythrocytes 13.2–14.5 × 6.6–9.9 in size, with 6.6–6.8 × 2.4–3.1 nucleus and NDR of 0.59–0.97 (n = 4). The microgametocyte-infected erythrocytes 13.2–13.3 × 6.4–7.1 in size with 5.7–6.2 × 2.4–2.9 nucleus and NDR of 0.5, 1.0 (n = 2); the uninfected erythrocytes were 13.2 ± 0.96 × 6.8 ± 0.48 in size with 6.5 ± 0.74 × 2.7 ± 0.39 nucleus (n = 9). The macrogametocytes, 9.7 ± 0.76 × 2.5 ± 0.44 in size (n = 10) only lightly, if at all, grip the host nucleus. Their 2.3 ± 0.57 × 1.4 ± 0.39 nucleus is located close to or at the distal end of the macrogametocyte. The microgametocytes are 11.4–11.9 × 2.1–3.1 in size; some are longer (14 µm) and grip the host-cell nucleus more firmly. The pigment granules, numbering 10-14, are fine or coarse, in the longer microgametocytes aggregating either on one or both distal ends. The young gametocytes develop attached to the nucleus.

Remarks. – The stout gametocytes are characteristic of Hae. fallisi .

Leucocytozoon dubreuilli Mathis & Leger 1911 ( Fig. 27 )

Locality. – Malaysia: Fraser’s Hill , Nov.2002 .

Type host. – Turdus sp. [ North Vietnam (Tonkin)] .

Description. – Three macrogametocytes were found, 10.5– 13.3 long, 10.8–10.9 wide, with a perimeter of 33.6–36.4; the nucleus 3.4–4.2 × 2.4–3.4 in size and the cytoplasm is foamy, vacuolated. The host-cell nucleus is 21.0–21.7, covering 60 –62% of the gametocyte perimeter.

Remarks. – Identified as Leu. dubreuilli by the characteristic lateral thickenings of the host-cell nucleus. Found in both Old World and New World species of Turdus .

Figures

Fig. 26. Haemoproteus fallisi from Turdus obscurus, Malaysia (from left: microgametocyte and two macrogametocytes).

Fig. 27. Leucocytozoon dubreuili from Turdus obscurus, Malaysia (macrogametocyte).