New Threat To Spotted Owl Exposed

A new study provides a baseline distribution of blood parasites and strains in Spotted Owls, suggesting a more fragile immune health than previously understood for the already threatened Northern and California Spotted Owls.

The study, co-authored by San Francisco State University biologists, is the first to show a Spotted Owl infected with an avian malaria (Plasmodium) parasite.

“While Plasmodium parasites have been found in thriving owl species, the detection in a Spotted Owl could further challenge the threatened species’ survival,” said Heather Ishak, an SF State graduate biology student who performed the research with Assistant Professor of Biology Ravinder Sehgal and others.

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Tagged as: Animals, Avian Malaria, Biology, Birds, California, California Spotted Owls, Northern Spotted Owls, Owls, Plasmodium Parasites, San Francisco, San Francisco State University, Spotted Owls