Prevalence of Haemoproteus, and their Vectors, in the Dove population of the Emirate of Abu Dhabi

Abstract

Research on Haemoparasites and their prevalence in the dove population of the United Arab Emirates (UAE) has been very limited to date. This study was xonducted to determine the prevalence of haemoproteids in two resident species; The Rock dove (Columba livia), also referred to as the domestic pigeon, and the Eurasian collared dove (Streptopelia decaocto), in Wtsan, Abu Dhabi, UAE. Blood samples were obtained from a total of 80 Rock doves and 9 Eurasian collared doves. A Haemoproteus sp., the only haemoparasite identified, was found in 43.75% of the Rock doves sampled, but not in the Eurasian collared dove. The species was later identified as Haemoproteus columbae. Identification of potential vectors for H. columbae was also performed. Despite a high prevalence of H. columbae, the only known vector; Pseudolynchia canariensis, was not found on any of the examined birds or their surroundings. Based on the fact that the domestic pigeon is not known to be a migratory bird, this is a strong indication that an, as yet to be identified, vector for H. columbae could be present in the Emirate of Abu Dhabi.