Tetrathyridium as a mortality factor of rock partridge (Alectoris graeca graeca) in Central Greece

This study was conducted from 1997 to 2000 to determine the role of the parasiteTetrathyridium in rock partridges. During the first days of the hunting periods of 1997 to 2000, 55 hunted birds (8 in 1997, 27 in 1998, 11 in 1999 and 9 in 2000) were examined and 3 dead wild birds were examined. Crop content analysis, gross pathological, parasitological and bacteriological examinations were carried out on all of the birds. Parasitological examination revealed the presence ofTetrathyridium in the peritoneal cavity and livers (36%-55,5%) in some of hunted birds and in all 3 dead birds. One of the mortality factors of the species in the study area was heavy infestation byTetrathyridium, which is the larval stage of the cestodesMesocestoides species.[PUBLICATION ABSTRACT]