Haematozoan infection of eight gamebird species (Galliformes) from four sites in southern Africa

We examined blood smears from 162 individuals of eight species of gamebirds (Galliformes) collected in southern Africa. The smears were collected at a site in Zambia, two sites in Zimbabwe and from various localities in the south-western Cape Province, South Africa. The overall infection rate was 46,3%, with a 100% infection in the Cape francolin Francolinus capensis, 52,2% in the helmeted guineafowl Numida meleagris, and 50,0% in both the Swainson's francolin F. swainsonii and greywing francolin F. africanus. Lower levels of infection were recorded in the crested francolin F. sephaena (34,8%), the rednecked francolin F. aler (25,0%), and the Natal francolin F. natalensis (18,2%). The single coqui francolin F. coqui was free of blood parasites. The most common parasites were various species of Leucocytozoon, Aegyptianella and microfilariae, with less common infections by species of the genera Haemoproteus, Plasmodium and Trypanosoma. Bloedsmere van 162 individue van ag jagvoels (Galliformes) in suidelike Afrika is ondersoek. Die smere is by 'n lokaliteit in Zambie, twee lokaliteite in Zimbabwe en lokaliteite in die suidwestelike Kaapprovinsie, Suid Afrika versamel. Die algehele voorkoms van infeksie is 46,3%, 'n 100% infeksie in die Kaapse fisant Francolinus capensis, 52,2% in die gewone tarentaal Numida meleagris, en 50,0% in beide die bosveldfisant F. swainsonii en die bergpatrys F. africanus. Laer vlakke van infeksie is in die bospatrys F. sephaena (34,8%), die rooikeelfisant F. aler (25,0%) en die Natalse fisant F. natalensis (18,2%) gevind. Die enkele swempiepatrys F. coqui het geen bloedparasiete gehad nie. Die mees algemene parasiete is die verskillende spesies van Leucocytozoon en Aegyptianella en microfilariae maar infeksies van Haemoproteus, Plasmodium en Trypanosoma spesies is ook gevind.