PARASITES OF FALCO ELEONORAE:

PREVIOUS AND LATEST INFORMATION

A. Diakou1, J. Fric2, M. Papazahariadou1, T. Dimalexis2

1
Laboratory of Parasitology and Parasitic Diseases, Faculty of Veterinary
Medicine, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Greece
2
Hellenic Ornithological Society, Vas. Irakleiou 24 10682, Athens, Greece
Falco eleonorae (Eleonoras falcon)

migratory (Mediterranean - East Africa)

Greece hosts more than 80% of the global population (>12.000
pairs)

nests in natural rock cavities located on small islets, larger island,

interior land

diet: big insects / migratory birds

parasitic diseases: low importance

but
for a Rare species can be of
particular interest
 Aims

Review of previous
information on parasitic
fauna

Parasitological examination of
F. eleonorae in Greece

(EU Life Nature project Conservation

of Falco eleonorae in Greece)

 Materials and Methods
August September 2006

Islets of Sporades and Cyclades Islands in Aegean Sea

Faecal samples from 23 nests

Ectoparasites of 2 nestlings
Materials and
Methods

merthiolate-iodine-
formalin sedimentation
zinc sulphate flotation
Ziehl-Nielsen stained
smear inspection

The identification of the

parasites was based on
morphological criteria
 Results (faeces)
20 out of the 23 samples: positive (86.95%)

1 parasitic species: 8/23

2 parasitic species: 8/23
3 parasitic species: 4/23
Results
(feaces) Protozoa (4/23)

Isospora spp. Caryospora spp.

(2/23) (1/23)

(1/23)
Results (feaces)
Trematoda (10/23)

Nematostrigea spp. Neodiplostomum spp.

(7/23) (1/23)

2/23 1/23
Results (faeces) Nematoda (11/23)

Serratospiculum spp. (7/23) Synhimantus spp. (1/23)

Physaloptera alata (2/23) (1/23)

Results
(faeces)
Acarina (9/23)
Cestoda, cysticercoid (1/23)
 Results
(ectoparasites)

Mallophaga (2/2)
Hyppoboscidae (1/2)
Parasites of F. eleonorae: only few studies

Wink et al. (1979):

Leucocytozoon toddi, microfilaria,
Haemaphysalis numidiana (Ixodidae),
Ornithophila gestroi (Hyppoboscidae),
Laemobothrion tinnunculi, Degeeriella rufa
(Mallophaga), mite (Acarina)

Martnez-Abran and Urios (2002):

absence of blood parasites
 The present study
Faecal examination:
high prevalence and
various species of parasites
(potential threat)

Ectoparasites: same taxon with the

previously reported:
Hyppoboscidae and Mallophaga are
common in this bird species
F. eleonorae: the most important bird species
hosted in Greece

Species' long-term protection study of its

biology and of the factors that can threaten its
conservation status

Parasites can represent a serious problem

Detailed recording of F. eleonorae s
parasitic fauna
Measures for their limitation
Thank you