PATHOLOGY CAUSED BY THE TREMATODE CIRCUMVITELLATREMA MOMOTA IN FREE-RANGE WILD BLUE-CROWNED MOTMOTS (MOMOTUS MOMOTA) IN CENTRAL AMERICA.

Abstract

Wildlife conservation law in Costa Rica protects common motmots (Momotus momota), limiting the specimens available to study their health and biology. This report describes the finding of the trematode Circumvitellatrema momota in the trachea, air sacs, lung, and celomatic cavity of two free-living M. momota. Histiocytic air sacculitis and pleuritis with granulomas containing trematodes, as well as adhesions between the air sacs and pericardium, were observed. In addition, histiocytic pneumonia, air sacculitis, celomitis, ulcerative tracheitis, and necrotizing histiocytic hepatitis showing intralesional parasites were detected. Eggs with morphology compatible with C. momota were found in the feces of both birds. To our knowledge, this is the first report of C. momota in motmots of Central America. As may be seen in the second case, severe respiratory compromise was possibly affecting the bird's capacity to fly. Longitudinal studies of the host, parasite, and environment are necessary to understand the implication for C momota infection to the health and survival of the common motmot.