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Occurrence of the louse fly Ornithoctona erythrocephala Leach (1817) (Diptera: Hippoboscidae) on a free-living red-legged seriema (Cariama cristata)

Ocorrência da mosca Ornithoctona erythrocephala Leach, 1817 (Diptera: Hippoboscidae) em seriema (Cariama cristata) de vida livre

Abstract

The aim of this study was to report, for the first time, the occurrence of the hippoboscid fly Ornithoctona erythrocephala on a red-legged seriema (Cariama cristata). A Diptera specimen was found among the feathers of a free-living red-legged seriema, which was referred to necropsy at the Wild Animal Pathology Service, UNESP Jaboticabal. The fly was collected, stored in absolute alcohol, and shipped to the Institute of Biosciences of the Federal University of Mato Grosso do Sul for proper identification. Based on morphological characters, the specimen was identified as a female of Ornithoctona erythrocephala. This study provides a report on a new host for O. erythrocephala.

Keywords:
Ornithoctona erythrocephala; Diptera; Hippoboscidae; Louse-flies; ectoparasites

Resumo

O objetivo deste estudo foi descrever pela primeira vez a ocorrência da mosca Hippoboscidae Ornithoctona erythrocephala em uma seriema (Cariama cristata). Um espécime de díptero foi encontrado entre as penas de dessa ave, que havia sido encaminhada para necropsia ao Serviço de Patologia de Animais Selvagens, UNESP, Jaboticabal. A mosca foi armazenada em álcool absoluto e enviada ao Instituto de Biociências da Universidade Federal do Mato Grosso do Sul para identificação por um especialista. Baseado em características morfológicas, o espécime foi identificado como fêmea de Ornithoctona erythrocephala. Este relato oferece a descrição de um novo hospedeiro para O. erythrocephala.

Palavras-chave:
Ornithoctona erythrocephala; Diptera; Hippoboscidae; mosca-piolho; ectoparasitas

Dipterans of the family Hippoboscidae Samouelle, 1819, also known as louse flies, are hematophagous ectoparasites distributed worldwide that occur in association with birds and mammals (Graciolli, 2016Graciolli G. Family hippoboscidae. Zootaxa 2016; 4122(1): 771-779. http://dx.doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.4122.1.65. PMid:27395313.
http://dx.doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.4122....
). The family Hippoboscidae is subdivided into three subfamilies (Ornithomyiinae, Lipopteninae, and Hippoboscinae), containing approximately 21 genera and more than 200 species (Wood, 2010Wood MW. Hippoboscidae (louse flies). In: Brown BV, Borkent A, Cummings JM, Wood DM, Woodley NE, Zumbado MA. Manual of Central American Diptera. 2nd ed. Ottawa, Canadá: NRC Research Press; 2010. p. 12411248.), of which 48 occur in the Americas (Maa, 1969Maa TC. A revised checklist and concise host index of Hippoboscidae (Diptera). Pac Insects Monogr 1969; 20: 261-299.). In Brazil, these dipterans have been scarcely studied, with a description of only 30 species from 10 genera (Bequaert, 1956Bequaert JC. The Hippoboscidae or louseflies (Diptera) of mammals and birds. Part II. Taxonomy, evolution and revision of American genera and species. Entomol Am 1956; 36: 417-610.).

Ornithoctona erythrocephala Leach (1817) belongs to the Ornithomyiinae subfamily, which comprises approximately two-thirds of the species of the entire family (Maa, 1962Maa TC. Notes on the Hippoboscidae (Diptera), 1. Pac Insects 1962; 4(3): 583-614.). Since its first description, O. erythrocephala has already been described in several avian species throughout the American continent (Maa, 1969Maa TC. A revised checklist and concise host index of Hippoboscidae (Diptera). Pac Insects Monogr 1969; 20: 261-299.; Tossas, 2001Tossas AG. Two new avian host records for Ornithoctona erythrocephala (Diptera: Hippoboscidae) in Puerto Rico. Caribb J Sci 2001; 37(1): 115-116.), evidencing its low host specificity (Graciolli & Carvalho, 2003Graciolli G, Carvalho CJB. Hippoboscidae (Diptera, Hippoboscoidea) no estado do Paraná, Brasil: chaves de identificação, hospedeiros e distribuição geográfica. Rev Bras Zool 2003; 20(4): 667-674. http://dx.doi.org/10.1590/S0101-81752003000400019.
http://dx.doi.org/10.1590/S0101-81752003...
). In Brazil, this species has been reported in avian species from south, central-west, and northern regions, as shown in Table 1. All hippoboscid flies are hematophagous. Owing to this behavior, these dipterans are considered important vectors for several infectious agents, such as blood protozoans (Baker, 1967Baker JR. A review of the role played by the Hippoboscidae (Diptera) as vectors of endoparasites. J Parasitol 1967; 53(2): 412-418. http://dx.doi.org/10.2307/3276603. PMid:5336850.
http://dx.doi.org/10.2307/3276603...
).

Table 1
Records of avian species parasitized by Ornithoctona erythrocephala in Brazil.

The red-legged seriema (Cariama cristata Linaeus, 1766) is an avian species from the order Cariamiformes, Cariamidae family. It is 75 to 90 cm high, with a fairly long neck, tail, and legs. These birds are capable predators, but are also opportunistic feeders with a varied diet, feeding on arthropods, lizards, snakes, small rodents, eggs, grains, and fruits (Sick, 1997Sick H. Ornitologia brasileira. Rio de Janeiro: Nova Fronteira; 1997.). This species is found in Argentina, Uruguay, Paraguay, Bolivia, and central Brazil, where it is commonly found in the Cerrado biome (De Almeida, 1994De Almeida AC. Notas sobre a biologia reprodutiva da Seriema cariama cristata (Linnaeus, 1766) (Gruiformes: cariamidae). Rev Nordestina Biol 1994; 9(1): 49-59.). The aim of this study was to report, for the first time, the occurrence of the hippoboscid fly Ornithoctona erythrocephala on a red-legged seriema (Cariama cristata).

An adult free-living red-legged seriema was received for necropsy at the Veterinary Pathology Department of the School of Agricultural and Veterinarian Sciences (FCAV/Unesp), Jaboticabal, Brazil. The avian specimen died after a car incident in the city of Uchoa, São Paulo (20°57’10” S, 49°10’29” W). The bird was found still alive, and died during transportation to the institution. The necropsy was performed soon after arrival. A single Diptera specimen was found between the bird feathers. The insect was carefully recovered, conserved in absolute alcohol, and shipped to the Institute of Biosciences of the Federal University of Mato Grosso do Sul, for proper identification. Identification was performed under a stereomicroscope using the identification key proposed by Graciolli & Carvalho (2003)Graciolli G, Carvalho CJB. Hippoboscidae (Diptera, Hippoboscoidea) no estado do Paraná, Brasil: chaves de identificação, hospedeiros e distribuição geográfica. Rev Bras Zool 2003; 20(4): 667-674. http://dx.doi.org/10.1590/S0101-81752003000400019.
http://dx.doi.org/10.1590/S0101-81752003...
.

The fly (Figure 1) was identified as a female specimen of O. erythrocephala based on morphological characters. These hippoboscids are large, flat-bodied, and small-headed flies. They present strong claws on their feet and a membranous abdomen, especially among females. Most of the species are winged with flying capacity, and a few are brachypterous (Rodhain, 2015Rodhain F. Insects as vectors: systematics and biology. Rev Sci Tech 2015; 34(1): 83-96, 67-82. PMid:26470450.; Graciolli, 2016Graciolli G. Family hippoboscidae. Zootaxa 2016; 4122(1): 771-779. http://dx.doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.4122.1.65. PMid:27395313.
http://dx.doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.4122....
). Flies belonging to the Ornithoctona genus are large in size, ocelli are present, antenna processes are spoon-shaped, and ribbed wings are devoid of microscopic hair (Lutz et al., 2006Lutz A, Neiva A, Costa AM. 1915 sobre pupipara ou hipoboscídeos de aves brasileiras. In: Benchimol JL, Sá MR. Adolpho Lutz: entomologia. Rio de Janeiro: Editora Fiocruz; 2006. p. 599-633.). Ornithoctona erythrocephala may be distinguished from other species of the genus by its very short antennal appendages and entirely bare wings, where a small alula is present (Lutz et al., 2006Lutz A, Neiva A, Costa AM. 1915 sobre pupipara ou hipoboscídeos de aves brasileiras. In: Benchimol JL, Sá MR. Adolpho Lutz: entomologia. Rio de Janeiro: Editora Fiocruz; 2006. p. 599-633.; Maa, 1962Maa TC. Notes on the Hippoboscidae (Diptera), 1. Pac Insects 1962; 4(3): 583-614.).

Figure 1
A female specimen of Ornithoctona erythrocephala. (A) Dorsal aspect. Note the small head (arrow); (B) Dorsal aspect. Note the spoon-shaped antenna processes (arrow); (C) Dorsal aspect. Note the ocelli (arrow); (D) Ventral aspect. Note the membranous abdomen (arrow); (E) Ventral aspect. Note the strong claws in the feet (arrows); (F) Cranial aspect. Note the short antennal appendages. Stereoscopic microscope. Scale bars for A, D and E = 2mm. Scale bars for B, C and F = 0.5mm.

This dipteran species occurs throughout the American continent (Maa, 1969Maa TC. A revised checklist and concise host index of Hippoboscidae (Diptera). Pac Insects Monogr 1969; 20: 261-299.; Tossas, 2001Tossas AG. Two new avian host records for Ornithoctona erythrocephala (Diptera: Hippoboscidae) in Puerto Rico. Caribb J Sci 2001; 37(1): 115-116.). Maa (1969)Maa TC. A revised checklist and concise host index of Hippoboscidae (Diptera). Pac Insects Monogr 1969; 20: 261-299. described 14 orders, comprising 25 families and 76 genera of birds serving as hosts for O. erythrocephala. Since then, several other avian species have been reported as hosts for O. erythrocephala, evidencing its low host specificity. In Brazil, even though O. erythrocephala have already been described in nine orders, Falconiformes and Accipitriformes concentrate the majority of the reports (Table 1), suggesting that species from these orders may represent important dispersers of these hippoboscids. Hippoboscid flies have the habit of quickly darting from a host when the warmth begins to leave the body (Johnson, 1925Johnson CW. Insects that infest birds. Bulletin of the Northeastern Bird-Banding Association 1925; 1(4): 51-53.), which may take place during pray/predator interactions. Falconiformes and Accipitriformes, according to the species, may feed on smaller birds and/or avian carcasses, allowing the fly to move from a prayed bird to a predator during its feeding.

Louse flies can be detrimental to the host’s health. Under heavy infestation, Hippoboscidae flies may be responsible for weight loss and anemia (Rodhain, 2015Rodhain F. Insects as vectors: systematics and biology. Rev Sci Tech 2015; 34(1): 83-96, 67-82. PMid:26470450.). Tella et al. (1995)Tella JL, Gortázar C, Gajón A, Osácar JJ. Apparent lack of effects of a high louse-fly infestation (Diptera, Hippoboscidae) on adult colonial alpine swifts. Ardea 1995; 83(2): 435-439. evaluated the effect of a high louse-fly (Crataerina melbae) infestation in Alpine swifts (Apus melba), and suggested that heavy infestations have a short duration, not affecting the birds’ physical condition. Few reports on O. erythrocephala from Brazil described the number of individuals collected per bird. These reports frequently describe the presence of only one or two specimens parasitizing each bird (Tossas, 2001Tossas AG. Two new avian host records for Ornithoctona erythrocephala (Diptera: Hippoboscidae) in Puerto Rico. Caribb J Sci 2001; 37(1): 115-116.; Graciolli & Bispo, 2005Graciolli G, Bispo AA. Ectoparasitic Hippoboscidae (Diptera) on six species of owls (Strigiformes) in the state of Paraná, southern Brazil. Rev Bras Ornitol 2005; 13(23): 81-182.; Moreira et al., 2019Moreira RF, Farezin LC, Souza UA, Silva BZ, Amorim DB, Girotto-Soares A, et al. Pupipara (Diptera, Hippoboscidae) in wild birds attended at a rehabilitation center in southern Brazil. Braz J Vet Parasitol 2019; 28(2): 330-332. http://dx.doi.org/10.1590/s1984-29612019004. PMid:31166378.
http://dx.doi.org/10.1590/s1984-29612019...
), similar to what was described in the present report, where only one specimen was recovered. The rapid flight of the Hippoboscid species may be the reason why so few individuals are recovered from infested birds (Johnson, 1925Johnson CW. Insects that infest birds. Bulletin of the Northeastern Bird-Banding Association 1925; 1(4): 51-53.). To the best of authors’ knowledge, studies on the parasite burden are not available for O. erythrocephala, which precluded inferences regarding this aspect of the parasitism.

Knowing the ectoparasite diversity in avian species is extremely important. It is a basic requirement in studies regarding species conservation, and helps to better understand the host-parasite interactions and the ecology of these populations (Lambrecht et al., 2015Lambrecht FM, Serra-Freire NM, Farias NAR. Milvago chimango (Vieillot, 1816) (Aves: Falconidae) novo hospedeiro para Ornithoctona Erythrocephala (Leach, 1817) (Diptera: Hippoboscidae) no município do Rio Grande, Rio Grande do Sul, Brasil. Rev Uniabeu 2015; 8(18): 257-261.). Until now, there have been no previous reports on the Cariamidae family acting as hosts for this fly species. Thus, this work provides a new record of an avian species housing O. erythrocephala.

Acknowledgements

MRA and RZM are fellowship researchers of “Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico” (CNPq Process number #302420/2017-7 and #306326/2014-0, respectively).

  • How to cite: da Silva TMV, Graciolli G, De Santi M, Calchi AC, Machado ACQ, Werther K, et al. Occurrence of the louse fly Ornithoctona erythrocephala Leach (1817) (Diptera: Hippoboscidae) on a free-living red-legged seriema (Cariama cristata). Braz J Vet Parasitol 2021; 30(2): e025520. https://doi.org/10.1590/S1984-29612021030

References

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    » http://dx.doi.org/10.2307/3276603
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Publication Dates

  • Publication in this collection
    28 May 2021
  • Date of issue
    2021

History

  • Received
    06 Nov 2020
  • Accepted
    16 Mar 2021
Colégio Brasileiro de Parasitologia Veterinária FCAV/UNESP - Departamento de Patologia Veterinária, Via de acesso Prof. Paulo Donato Castellane s/n, Zona Rural, , 14884-900 Jaboticabal - SP, Brasil, Fone: (16) 3209-7100 RAMAL 7934 - Jaboticabal - SP - Brazil
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