Friday, May 30, 2008
Blood Parasites in Spotted and Barred Owls
Decreasing forest habitat is a factor in the declining population numbers of spotted owls. An additional threat is posed by barred owls, a similar species that is rapidly expanding its range into territories occupied by spotted owls. USGS wildlife biologist Susan Haig is a co-author on a new publication assessing the potential disease threat posed by barred owls. West coast barred owls had a lower prevalence of infection for the three parasites studied compared to Northern and California spotted owls, raising the possibility that spotted owls are more immunologically fragile than barred owls.
Ishak, H.D., Dumbacher, J.P., Anderson, N.L., Keane, J.J., Valkiunas, G., Haig, S.M., Tell, L.A., Sehgal, R.N., 2008, Blood parasites in owls with conservation implications for the spotted owl (Strix occidentalis): Public Library of Science - Biology, v. 3, no. 5, p. online e2304. [FullText] Catalog No: 2004
Contact:
Susan
Haig,
FRESC,
541-750-7482,
susan_haig@usgs.gov
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