Molecular analysis of blood-associated pathogens in common ravens (Corvus corax) from Germany

Title (eng)
Molecular analysis of blood-associated pathogens in common ravens (Corvus corax) from Germany
Author
Aline Lamien-Meda
Author
Josef Harl
Author
Astrid Lieber
Author
Maria Unterköfler
Author
Barbara Eigner
Author
Licha Nathalia Wortha
Author
Franz Mueller
Author
Mike Heddergott
Author
Hans-Peter Fuehrer
Abstract (eng)
Common ravens (Corvus corax) are intelligent scavengers that adapt to diverse environments, playing a key ecological role, but their health and ecosystem contributions can be affected by parasites. This study investigates the prevalence and diversity of blood parasite infections in common ravens using molecular techniques. Blood samples (n = 42) were collected from dead common ravens in Germany and screened for filarioid nematodes, trypanosomatids, and haemosporidian parasites. The results showed that 26.2% of the common ravens were PCR-positive for at least one parasite, with some cases of mixed infections. Filarioid nematodes were found in 16.7%, trypanosomatids in 4.8%, and haemosporidian parasites in 16.7% of the common ravens. Sequencing revealed the presence of four Leucocytozoon CytB lineages and one Haemoproteus lineage. The findings suggest that common ravens in Germany are often infected with diverse avian blood parasites, with a higher prevalence of filarioid nematodes. Further research is needed to confirm the circulation of these parasites in the common raven population and to identify the specific filarioid nematode species present in Germany.
Keywords (eng)
Corvus CoraxFilarioid NematodesTrypanosomaHaemosporidian ParasitesLeucocytozoonHaemoproteus
Type (eng)
journal article
Language
[eng]
Persistent identifier
https://phaidra.vetmeduni.ac.at/o:4924
DOI
10.1007/s00436-025-08510-3
Is in series
Title (eng)
Parasitology Research
Volume
124
Issue
6
ISSN
1432-1955
Issued
2025
Number of pages
10
Publication
Springer
Version type (eng)
version of record (published version)
Date issued
2025
Access rights (eng)
open access
License
CC BY 4.0 International
Rights statement (eng)
© 2025 The Author(s)