Natural History Wanderings

The  BBC  reported introduced foreign parasites and increased El Nino events could lead to the extinction of bird species in the Galapagos. The concern is heightened by the large number of endemic species on the islands.  30%  of Hawaii’s endemic birds became extinct from foreign parasites . Two Galapagos species at high risk from avian malaria are the yellow warbler and Galapagos penguin, which has an estimated population of just 3,000.

The parasite that causes avian malaria (Plasmodium) comes from biting insects. The parasite requires a bird host as well.  It is believed that none of the native birds on the Galapagos is a suitable host however three introduced birds are possible hosts. They are the domesticated fowl, cattle egret and smooth-billed ani. Scientists are working to try to identify both the host birds  and the specific mosquito species that transmit avian malaria. Read more at:  BBC News – Avian malaria threatens Galapagos bird species.