The Leucocytozoidae of South African birds: Caprimulgidae, Columbidae, Gruidae and Spheniscidae

BENNETT, G. F., EARLE, R. A. & PEIRCE, M. A., 1992. The Leucocytozoidae of South African birds: Caprimulgidae, Columbidae, Gruidae and Spheniscidae. Onderstepoort Journal of Veterinary Research,59, 229-234(1992) Four species of Leucocytozoon, L. caprimulgi of the Caprimulgidae (nightjars), L. marchouxi of the Columbidae (pigeons and doves), L. grusi of the Gruidae (cranes) and L. tawaki of the. Spheniscidae (penguins) are re-described. Leucocytozoon turturis declared a synonym of L. marchoux1. INTRODUCTION The nightjars of the family Caprimulgidae are a group of primarily ground-nesting, nocturnal insecti­ vorous birds widely distributed throughout both the Old and New Worlds. Only 31 species have been examined for haematozoa and 1 0 species have been recorded with blood parasites, three with Leu­ cocytozoon (Bennett, Bishop & Woodworth-Lynas, 1982). Kerandel (1913) described Leucocytozoon caprimulgi from the Mozambique nightjar Caprimu/­ gus (= Scotornis) fossii. The species has not been recorded in Africa since that time and is herein re­ described. The Columbidae represent about 300 species of primarily gramivorous and fructivorous birds with a cosmopolitan distribution. As a group, their haema­ tozoa have been exceptionally well-studied and 1 00 species have been recorded as parasitized with one or more genera of blood parasites (Bennett et at. , 1982). Mathis & Leger (1910) described Leucocyto­ zoon marchouxi from Turtur humilis (= Streptopelia tranquebarica), a parasite recorded in over 30 species of columbids. This parasite has not been re­ described since 191 0. The Gruidae represent 15 species of cranes, pri­ marily Old World in distribution. This rather ancient family appears to be in retreat with at least one member, the whooping crane Grus americana, on the endangered list. Bennett, Khan & Campbell (1974) described Leucocytozoon grusi from Grus canadensis and leucocytozoids have only been recorded in two other members of this family, both in Africa (Bennett et at., 1982). The species is re-de­ scribed herein. Fallis, Bissett & Allison (1976) described Leuco­ cytozoon tawakifrom the Fiordland crested penguin Eudyptes pachyrhynchus in New Zealand and detailed its sporogony in three species of ornitho­ philic simuliids of the genus Austrosimulium.