The Haematozoa of Australian Birds.

Abstract

Four species of trypanosomes have been described from birds, Trypanosoma myzanthae from Myzantha melanocephala being new. Several other possibly distinct species are known, but have not been named owing to lack of material. Malaria parasites (Plasmodium) are relatively uncommon. They have been recorded in sparrows, a starling, a falcon, a seagull, and four species of wild anseriform birds. Haemoproteus is common. Seven named species have been recorded, but many birds are known to harbour parasites of this genus, some of which may be new. Leucocytozoon is fairly common. Five species have been recorded, and several other unnamed parasites are known to occur. Lankesterella picumni, sp. nov., is described from Climacteris picumnus, being apparently the first record of a haemogregarine from a bird in Australia. Lankesterella paddae is known in sparrows, and possibly silvereyes.