The parasites living inside birds, fish and mammals in the Park (GSMNP) are often forgotten in traditional biodiversity surveys. To date, there are no published studies of the parasites living in GSMNP birds. We have been studying the parasites from birds surveyed in the nationwide Monitoring Avian Productivity and Survivorship (MAPS) program carried out at Purchase Knob, GSMNP since 2003. One goal of our study has been to provide a list of parasites infecting the resident and migratory birds found at the high elevations of GSMNP. We are especially interested in a group of internal parasites classified in the genera Isospora and Eimeria because their classification in wild bird populations is poorly understood. We believe that many of these parasites are new species to science and the new fecal specimens we obtain in 2007 will provide us with additional material required for their formal description.

Principal Investigator

PI Name:  Dr. Charles T. Faulkner

PI Organization:  University of Tennessee College of Veterinary Medicine

Co-investigator #1

Co-PI Name:  Dr. Vina R. Diderrich-Faulkner

Co-PI Organization:  Lincoln Memorial University