Vol. 31 No. 1 (2016), Short Communications
Vol. 31 No. 1 (2016)

The use of hematophagous insects for blood collection in birds: the Common Tern (Sterna hirundo) as a case study

Short Communications
Published 01-08-2016
Germán O. García
Instituto de Investigaciones Marinas y Costeras (IIMyC), CONICET–Universidad Nacional de Mar del Plata. Funes 3250, B7602AYJ Mar del Plata, Buenos Aires, Argentina
Carla A. Paterlini
Instituto de Investigaciones Marinas y Costeras (IIMyC), CONICET–Universidad Nacional de Mar del Plata. Funes 3250, B7602AYJ Mar del Plata, Buenos Aires, Argentina
Peter H. Becker
Institute of Avian Research Vogelwarte Helgoland. An der Vogelwarte 21, D-26386 Wilhelmshaven, Alemania
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Keywords

blood-sucking bug
Dipetalogaster maximus
incubation period
Sterna hirundo

How to Cite

García, Germán O., Carla A. Paterlini, and Peter H. Becker. 2016. “The Use of Hematophagous Insects for Blood Collection in Birds: The Common Tern (Sterna Hirundo) As a Case Study”. El Hornero 31 (1): 53-56. https://doi.org/10.56178/eh.v31i1.574.
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Abstract

The objective of this study is to update the description of a technique for obtaining blood samples in birds and to show its efficiency in a colony of Common Tern (Sterna hirundo) located in Lake Banter, Germany. The techniques currently used involve the capture and handling of birds and the extraction of blood with hypodermic needles, which can cause stress in the individual studied. In this study a minimally invasive technique was used using hematophagous insects of the order Heteroptera. The modifications of the original design of the technique are described and it was shown that there was a high efficiency in the sampling, in terms of time and number of samples taken.

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