Cutaneous trematode Collyriclum faba in wild birds in the central European Carpathians

The occurrence of cutaneous trematode Collyriclum faba in wild birds was monitored in the central European Carpathians from 1996 to 2001. A total of 5,414 birds, representing 86 species, was examined. Collyriclum faba was found at 7 sites (5 in Slovakia, 1 in Poland, and 1 in the Czech Republic), and prevalences at the sites varied from 1 to 16%. Ten species of passerine birds were infected: blackcap (Sylvia atricapilla) (16 positive/622 tested, 2% prevalence), black redstart (Phoenicurus ochruros) (2/25, 8%), chaffinch (Fringilla coelebs) (7/113, 6%), common blackbird (Turdus merula) (1/143, 1%), common redstart (Phoenicurus phoenicurus) (1/30, 3%), dipper (Cinclus cinclus) (1/9, 11%), European robin (Erithacus rubecula) (103/838, 12%), goldcrest (Regulus regulus) (1/76, 1%), grey wagtail (Motacilla cinerea) (5/25, 20%), and yellowhammer (Emberiza citrinella) (1/73, 1%). Cutaneous cysts of C. faba were found in the birds from the end of May to mid-September, with the prevalence peaking in July and August. One to 21 cysts per bird were found. In black redstart, chaffinch, common redstart, European robin. and yellowhammer, cysts were most frequently observed on the legs, particularly in the crural region. In blackcap, common blackbird, dipper, and grey wagtail, almost all the cysts were found around the vent and on the abdomen. In goldcrest, the cyst was located above the coccygeal gland. Collyriclum faba is a common parasite in birds during summer in central European Carpathians. Collyriclum faba was observed for the first time in Poland. It appears that C. faba may be fatal for some of the bird hosts.