IntroductionQuasiamidostomum fulicae (Rudolphi, 1819) Lomakin, 1991, is a species of which the systematic position is still unclear, and it is reported in the literature under many synonyms. In the present study, an attempt has been made at establishing the ultimate systematic position of Quasiamidostomum fulicae against the backdrop of selected Amidostomatinae species.Material and MethodsThe parasites were identified based on measurements of external and internal structures. Ecological analysis of Q. fulicae was carried out using the quantitative indices (frequency, prevalence, mean intensity, relative abundance, and dominance index). Statistical analyses (discriminant analysis) were performed on measurement data.ResultsThe intestines of 77 coots were examined. They yielded a total of 398 parasites, including 67 identified as Q. fulicae. Both males and females were located in the muscular gizzard. The morphometric analysis of Q. fulicae in this study showed the dimensions of all the internal organs to be in agreement with measurements reported by other authors. The discriminant analysis, used to find the differences between the examined nematode species (Amidostomoides acutum, A. petrovi, A. monodon, Amidostomum anseris, and Quasiamidostomum fulicae), gave highly significant results (P < 0.0001) with respect to both males and females.ConclusionThe results justify the separation of Q. fulicae from the genus Amidostomum.

The purpose of this work was to perform morphometric characteristics of the Tufted Duck Aythya fuligula obtained in Western Pomerania, according to their sex and age. The research material consisted of 197 Tufted Ducks obtained in December 2013. The biometric characteristics was performed on the basis of 20 measurements of linear and mass quantities. All internal organs measured and most of the individual body parts of the Tufted Duck were slightly larger in the case of males. Despite the differences in the body size of males and females, the studied birds showed similar variability in both length and mass. The differences between adult and young Tufted Ducks were not so well defined. Adult Tufted Ducks had significantly larger body mass, pectoral muscle mass and lung mass than juveniles. No significant differences were found in the linear values of the examined features.