Kontaktadresse für Fragen bzw. für die Mitarbeit: Dipl.-Biol. Markus Unsöld (Markus.Unsoeld@zsm.mwn.de), Dr. Axel Hausmann (axel.hausmann@zsm.mwn.de).
Zecke (Acari, Ixodidae) an der Schnabelwurzel eines Sumpfrohrsängers (Acrocephalus palustris) - Foto: Stefan Hausmann
BFB (Barcoding Fauna Bavarica) is hunting for vertebrate parasites
Vertebrate parasites are a major focus of the BFB Project (DNA barcoding Fauna Bavarica). The Bavarian State Collection (ZSM) has launched a campaign for collecting ectoparasites of birds which is supported by the Ornithological Association of Munich; national and international cooperation with other organisations and institutions like ‘Vogelwarten’, ‘bird hospitals’, universities a.s.o. is envisaged. It is our aim to create a comprehensive DNA library for all parasites occurring in Germany and neighboring countries and to provide access to those data in an online database. These data will be the basis for a pre-warning system for possible pathways of disease vectors and for potentially immigrating new parasite species (Neozoa). Furthermore, health-relevant questions about host-specifity and extent of host-shifts can be studied much more effectively. The West Nile Virus, for instance, was introduced to the Czech Republic in 1997, to Austria in 2008. This virus is transmitted by birds (also migrating birds), with mosquitoes as main vectors transferring disease from one host to another, but Acari (Ixodidae) playing a certain role, too.
Contact addresses for questions or for cooperation: Dipl.-Biol. Markus Unsöld (Markus.Unsoeld@zsm.mwn.de), Dr. Axel Hausmann (axel.hausmann@zsm.mwn.de).
Tags: Bavaria, BFB Barcoding Fauna Bavarica, Disease vectors, DNA Barcoding, Fauna Bavarica, Parasites