Ecology of Helminth Parasitism in Bobwhites From Northern Florida

Abstract

Examination of 700 northern bobwhites (Colinus virginianus), 50 each February from 1971 through 1984, from Tall Timbers Research Station, Leon County, Florida, disclosed 15 species of helminth parasites. Nine species (Raillietina cesticillus, R. colinia, Aproctella stoddardi, Cheilospirura spinosa, Cyrnea colini, Dispharynx nasuta, Heterakis isolonche, Tetrameres pattersoni, and Trichostrongylus tenuis) generally were found on an annual basis and were considered characteristic components of the helminth fauna. Infrequently found species were Brachylecithum nanum, Rhabdometra odiosa, Capillaria sp., Gongylonema ingluvicola, H. gallinarum, and Oxyspirura matogrosensis. Intensities of C. colini and H. isolonche differed among host sex and age classes, and prevalences and/or intensities of A. stoddardi, C. spinosa, T. pattersoni, and T. tenuis differed between host age classes. Prevalences and/or abundances of seven species (R. cesticillus, R. colinia, C. spinosa, C. colini, H. isolonche, T. pattersoni, and T. tenuis) varied with bobwhite density, apparently because bobwhites were either the primary or only definitive host on the area. Two species (A. stoddardi and D. nasuta) did not vary with bobwhite density, apparently due to the buffering effect of a broad range of definitive hosts on the area. Prevalences and/or intensities of R. colinia, C. spinosa, and T. tenuis differed with agricultural fields status (cultivated versus fallow) suggesting that land use and its attendant habitat changes influenced transmission of these species. The occurrence of C. spinosa and T. pattersoni in individual bobwhites was not independent and was attributed to utilization of the same species of grasshoppers as intermediate hosts. Localized tissue damage and inflammation were associated with A. stoddardi, D. nasuta, C. spinosa, C. colini and T. pattersoni. Decreases in body weight in juvenile bobwhites were associated with increasing intensities of H. isolonche and T. tenuis. The observed relationships to bobwhite density and other variables are discussed with regard to known aspects of life histories of the nine most common species.

Parasites and infectious diseases of prairie grouse: should managers be concerned?

“…Conversely, in red grouse, T. tenuis causes disease in individuals and can regulate host populations (Shipley 1911;Wilson and Leslie 1911;Hudson and Dobson 1991;Hudson et al 1992aHudson et al , b, 1998. Trichostrongylus cramae intensity in APCs (x -=1,019.3; Range=3-1,906; N=3) appears more similar to that seen for T. tenuis in red grouse in northern England and Scotland (Hudson 1986, Shaw and Moss 1989, Hudson et al 1992a), than to T. cramae in northern bobwhites in the southeastern United States (Forrester et al 1984, Moore et al 1986, Davidson et al 1991, Purvis et al 1998. Because cecal length of Tympanuchus spp.…”

Seasonal and Demographical Variation in Intestinal Helminth Infection of Greywing Francolin

“…Although very little is known about the pathogenicity of parasites in wild birds, we also found no sign of any pathological condition, nor any significant correlation between levels of helminth infection and Greywing body mass. Davidson et al (1991) reported that helminth burdens of Aproctella stoddardi and Dispharynx nasuta did not vary with Bobwhite population density because they occurred in a broad range of definitive hosts. This possibly also accounts for the lack of significant correlation between helminth burdens and Greywing population density in this study.…”

Helminths and the northern bobwhite population decline: A review

“…When Cram ( b ) initially described T. pattersoni from wild bobwhites collected in North Carolina, she described heavy infections (up to 21 F and 7 M in 1 host) that covered nearly the entire wall of the proventriculus. Davidson et al () found this nematode in 21.7% of bobwhites sampled at the Tall Timbers Research Station in Florida, USA, and noted inflammation and localized tissue damage associated with T. pattersoni infections. The heavy infections described by Cram () were not encountered in 3 recent surveys in Texas (Villarreal , Bruno , Olsen ).…”