Parasitismo por malófagos (Insecta) e ácaros (Acari) em Turdus leucomelas (Aves) nas estações reprodutiva e de muda de penas no Parque Estadual do Rio Preto, Minas Gerais, Brasil

Parasitism of chewing lice (Insecta) and feather mites (Acari) on Turdus leucomelas (Aves) during reproductive
and molt seasons at the State Park of Rio Preto, Minas Gerais, Brazil. The rates of infestation by chewing lice and feather mites on Turdus leucomelas Vieillot, 1818 (Aves: Turdidae) were used to test the hypothesis of that parasitism either increases or decreases according to, reproductive and molting seasons, respectively. Samples were obtained at the State Park of Rio Preto, state of Minas Gerais, Brazil, in October and December of 2006 and in March of 2007. The dustruffling technique was used in to remove the parasites from the body of their hosts. Five species of chewing-lice were found on the birds, with Myrsidea sp. and Brueelia sp. being the most prevalent parasites, whereas Menacanthus eurysternus Burmeister, 1838 was the least prevalent. No statistically significant difference was found between the infestation rates in the reproductive and molt seasons. Two suborders and four families of Acari were found on the birds.
KEY WORDS. Chewing lice; feather mites; feather molt; pyrethrin.