The Intermediate Host Spectrum in a Sarcocystis Species of Birds

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Abstract
The life cycle of an avian Sarcocystis was completed in the laboratory, originating with naturally infected icterids [Quiscalus mexicanus, Molothrus ater, Passer domesticus and Serinus canarius] and passing alternately between opossums (Didelphis virginiana) and experimentally infected birds. To determine the intermediate host range, 6 avian species, including canaries (S. canarius), zebra finches (Poephila guttata), budgerigars (Melopsittacus undulatus), pigeons (Columba livia), chickens (Gallus gallus), and guinea fowl (Numida meleagris), were inoculated orally with Sarcocystis sporocysts derived from experimentally infected opossums. All birds but the Galliformes were susceptible to merogony. Pigeons (Columbiformes) were susceptible to early merogony but apparently not to muscle stages. Passeriformes and Psittaciformes were completely susceptible and the parasite developed into muscle cysts in them.

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