Aim: This study aimed to determine the prevalence of Oestrus ovis in sheep meant for meat commercialization in the main slaughterhouse of the country. Materials and Methods: Between October 2015 and December 2015, we assessed the occurrence of Oestrus myiasis in the main slaughterhouse localized in Quito. In total, 80 sheep heads were randomly inspected and necropsied. Larvae were removed from nasal cavities and paranasal sinuses and cleaned. ANOVA (generalized linear model) was used to estimate the relationship between sex, age, and place of origin and presence or absence of parasite larvae. Results: Morphological identification confirmed that 19% (15/80) of the examined animals were positive for Oestrus ovis; from the positive cases, 21% were young animals 2500 meters above sea level (m.a.s.l.), and only one case from the coastal region at 250 m.a.s.l. with tropical environmental conditions. Conclusion: Our results showed evidence of the presence of myiasis caused by O. ovis in Andean and coastal places in Ecuador and its adaptation to different environmental conditions from that reported previously in temperate regions from Europe and Africa.

El objetivo del estudio fue determinar la presencia de anticuerpos séricos frente a cuatro patógenos respiratorios (influenza aviar [AI], enfermedad de Newcastle [NDV], bronquitis infecciosa aviar [IBV] y laringotraqueítis infecciosa aviar [ILTV]) que podrían afectar a las aves acuáticas migratorias y residentes de tres lagunas altoandinas del Ecuador. Se colectaron 153 muestras de sangre de aves de siete especies en las lagunas andinas de Colta, Yambo y Yahuarcocha. La presencia de anticuerpos (Ac) contra IBV e ILTV se detectó por un ELISA indirecto (ELISAi) y por la prueba de inhibición de la hemoaglutinación (HI); para NDV e influenza aviar (H5N1 y H7N3) se usó un ELISAc e HI. La seropositividad a NDV fue de 3.2% (5/153), habiendo tres casos en Yahuarcocha en el cormorán neotropical (Phalacrocorax brasilianus), un caso en Colta en la focha andina (Fulica ardesiaca) y uno en Yambo en el pato rojizo andino (Oxyura ferruginea). La seropositividad contra AI fue de 13% (20/153), mayormente en el pato rojizo andino y el zambullidor plateado (Podicceps occipitalis) en Colta, y en el ánade piquiamarillo (Anas georgica), focha andina y pato rojizo andino en Yambo. Asimismo, se encontró Ac séricos contra IBV en dos cormoranes en Yahuarcocha. No se encontraron anticuerpos contra ILTV.

The avifauna of South America is one of the most widely studied groups of vertebrates. However, certain species, such as the Andean Ibis (Theristicus branickii), have received limited attention regarding their ecological patterns, biology, current distribution, and environmental requirements. This study analyzed observation data from the Global Biodiversity Information Facility (GBIF) on the Andean Ibis in four countries to identify and understand critical variables that determine the species’ presence, assess the proportion of its habitat within protected areas and identify possible threats to the species. Additionally, this study considered environmental and ecological variables to model ecological niches using the maximum entropy approach in MaxEnt to map the suitable habitat of the species. The findings revealed the extent of suitable Andean Ibis habitats in Ecuador, Peru, Bolivia and Chile. The variables that most determined the presence of the species were: altitude (36.57%), distance to lakes (23.29%) and ecological isothermality (13.34%). The distribution area of the Andean Ibis totaled 300,095.00 km², spanning both sides of the Andean mountains range. Human activities have left a significant impact on the Andean Ibis habitat, with 48% of this area impacted by the human footprint and only 10% of the territory falling within protected areas designated by the respective countries. The results of this study show that the Andean Ibis presents characteristics of a specialist species due to its adaptation to the climate conditions of the plateau and highlands, including low temperatures, herbaceous vegetation and the presence of water bodies. The species is distributed in disconnected Andean landscape areas, whose functionality could be compromised by increased human activities. Complementary studies will be necessary to understand the ecological role and effectiveness of protected areas for conserving the species.