Raptors (Accipitriformes, Falconiformes and Strigiformes) are important for ecological niches as bioindicators and an apex predator; however, their global populations have continuously decreased due to human activities, habitat loss and contagious diseases. Avian malaria that may cause the negative impact on raptors’ health may also contribute to the declining of raptor populations. This study reported malaria’s molecular prevalence and genetic diversity in wild-caught and rehabilitated raptors in the Kasetsart University Raptor Rehabilitation Unit. In total, 109 raptors from 18 provinces of Thailand were classified into two groups, which included 78 diurnal raptors (DIRs) in Accipitriformes and 31 nocturnal raptors (NORs) in Strigiformes. Each ethylenediaminetetraacetic (EDTA) blood sample (0.5–1 mL) was tested through haematological analyses and polymerase chain reaction (PCR)-based detection to assess parasites’ health impacts. Amplicons of PCR positive samples were analysed for a nucleotide sequencing and phylogenetic relationships. The overall prevalence of avian malaria was low at 3.67% (4/109) (95% CI: 1.44–9.06%), with a prevalence of 3.86% (3/78) (95% CI: 1.32–10.70%) in DIRs and 3.23% (1/31) (95% CI: 1.32–10.70%) in NORs. Most of the infected samples were from southern Thailand. This suggested that the raptors in humid habitats are more vulnerable to the malarial infection, which was likely associated with vector and parasite abundance. Clinical appearances and haematological examinations demonstrated that raptors could tolerate the infection and only became asymptomatic and subclinically infected. This study is the first report of the infection of avian malaria in Cinerous Vulture, Himalayan Vulture and Barred Eagle Owl in Thailand, providing baseline information in preparedness for the disease diagnostic and further study of avian malaria in some endangered raptor species.

Sitdhibutr R, et al. J Vet Sci. 2023 May;24:e43. https://doi.org/10.4142/jvs.23020

The Steppe Eagle, Aquila nipalensis Hodgson, 1833, is a migratory, endangered raptor experiencing population declines due to habitat loss and human persecution. This study aims to construct a high-quality de novo nuclear genome and complete mitochondrial genome assembly using PromethION Oxford Nanopore long-read and MGI short-read sequencing technologies. The assembled genome size was 1.21 Gb and contained 16,192 predicted protein-coding genes. Phylogenomic reconstruction based on ultraconserved elements (UCEs) robustly placed A. nipalensis within Aquilinae, with Aquila chrysaetos (Linnaeus, 1758) identified as its closest extant relative. Mitogenome-based analyses recovered congruent topology but revealed dataset-dependent differences in divergence time estimation. The most recent common ancestor of A. nipalensis and other Aquila species was estimated at approximately 3–13 million years ago, depending on dataset, whereas divergence between Aquila and Nisaetus occurred around 22 Mya. Comparative genomic analyses further identified positively selected genes associated with vesicle trafficking, secretion, and tissue development, suggesting potential adaptive signatures related to physiological performance. In conclusion, these genomic and evolutionary insights establish a foundational reference for future population genomic, adaptive, and conservation studies of this endangered raptor.