Risk of Infection, Local Prevalence and Seasonal Changes in an Avian Malaria Community Associated with Game Bird Releases

Anthropogenic activities, such as the translocation or introduction of animals, may cause a parallel movement exotic parasites harboured by displaced animals. Although and/or relocation animals for hunting purposes is an increasingly common management technique, effects gamebird release major vehicle into new geographic regions have rarely been reported. We examined prevalence and distribution avian malaria infecting resident hosts (red-legged partridge Alectoris rufa) at local scale, with particular emphasis on releasing farm-reared birds spatial temporal structure parasite community. collected blood samples from adult partridges two game estates releases sites without over periods (spring autumn). tested probability infection differences in community relation to model (releases vs. non releases) sampling period, comparing autumn (when are released) spring (after season, when mostly wild can be found population). high (54%) Plasmodium spp., substantial lineages among populations studied. Some occurred frequencies partridges, while other were more abundant than those releases. Overall, was similar between non-release sites, whereas releases, it higher spring—probably due artificial restocking infected onset season. In short, humans important agent driving alteration fauna via release, which could outbreaks severe repercussions native avifauna.