Hematology and Absence of Hemoparasites in Breeding Common Terns (Sterna hirundo) from Cape Cod, Massachusetts

Christine V. Fiorello; Ian C. T. Nisbet; Jeremy J. Hatch; Carolyn Corsiglia; Mark A. Pokras

doi:10.1638/2006-0067.1

How to translate text using browser tools

1 September 2009 Hematology and Absence of Hemoparasites in Breeding Common Terns (Sterna hirundo) from Cape Cod, Massachusetts

Christine V. Fiorello, Ian C. T. Nisbet, Jeremy J. Hatch, Carolyn Corsiglia, Mark A. Pokras

Author Affiliations +

J. of Zoo and Wildlife Medicine, 40(3):409-413 (2009). https://doi.org/10.1638/2006-0067.1

Abstract

In June and July 1995, 98 breeding common terns (Sterna hirundo) were captured, weighed, and bled as a part of ongoing research on the population health and reproductive biology of this species of special concern. Packed cell volume, total and differential white blood cell counts, and blood smears were obtained. Blood smears from 75 terns were examined. No hemoparasites were found. There were some significant differences among hematologic parameters in birds from different islands, and between birds nesting earlier versus later in the season, but there were no significant differences associated with body mass, sex, or age. The absence of hemoparasites in the blood smears of these terns is noteworthy, especially because other studies of seabirds (including Charadriiformes) have revealed low prevalences of hematozoa.

Citation Download Citation

Christine V. Fiorello, Ian C. T. Nisbet, Jeremy J. Hatch, Carolyn Corsiglia, and Mark A. Pokras "Hematology and Absence of Hemoparasites in Breeding Common Terns (Sterna hirundo) from Cape Cod, Massachusetts," Journal of Zoo and Wildlife Medicine 40(3), 409-413, (1 September 2009). https://doi.org/10.1638/2006-0067.1

Received: 20 December 2006; Published: 1 September 2009

KEYWORDS/PHRASES

PUBLICATION TITLE:

COLLECTION TITLE:

PUBLICATION YEARS