Haematozoa of greywing francolin from the Stormberg, eastern Cape Province, South Africa

We examined blood smears collected from 251 greywing francolin, Francolinus africanus, from the Stormberg Plateau, eastern Cape Province, from January to December 1990. The monthly infection rate of greywing francolin by blood parasites averaged 37,8% (95 / 251; range = 27,9-63,6). Microfilariae, Plasmodium juxtanucleare, Leucocytozoon macleani and L. peaolopesi were the commonest of eight haematozoan parasites recorded. Adult greywing francolin had higher prevalence of blood parasites (54%) than did juveniles (l 1 year old; 21%). P. juxtanucleare might contribute to mortality rates of greywing francolin. Infection by L. macleani and L. peaolopesi were distinct temporally. Peak prevalence of Leucocytozoon spp. appeared to be related to timing of annual rainfall because of the dependence of their vectors on running water for breeding. Levels of haematozoan infection in greywing francolin are not sufficiently high to have macroscopically visible effects on the quality of the meat of this important gamebird. Bloedsmere van 251 bergpatryse Francolinus africanus van die Stormbergplato in die Oos-Kaap is vanaf Januarie tot Desember 1990 vir bloedparasiete ondersoek. Die gemiddelde maandelikse infeksie van bergpatryse deur bloedparasiete was 37,8% (95 / 251; reikwydte 27,9-63,6). Microfilariae, Plasmodium juxtanucleare, Leucocytozoon macleani en L. peaolopesi was die algemeenste van die agt bloedparasiete wat aangeteken is. Volwasse bergpatryse het 'n hoer voorkoms van bloedparasiete (54%) as onvolwasse voels (l 1 jaar oud; 24%) getoon. P. juxtanucleare mag bydra tot vrektes van bergpatryse. Voels was nie gelyktydig met L. macleani en L. peaolopesi besmet nie. 'n Hoe voorkoms van Leucocytozoon spp. is waarskynlik gekoppel aan die verspreiding van die jaarlikse reenval aangesien die tussengashere lopende water benodig vir voortplanting. Besmettingsvlakke van bergpatryse met bloedparasiete is nie hoog genoeg om 'n makroskopies sigbare nadelige invloed op die kwaliteit van die vleis van die belangrike jagvoel te he nie.