Helminth community and host dynamics in northern bobwhites from the Rolling Plains Ecoregion, U.S.A.

Abstract

One hundred and sixty-one northern bobwhites (Colinus virginianus; hereafter 'bobwhite') were examined from the Rolling Plains ecoregion of Texas and western Oklahoma from 2011 to 2013. Complete necropsies yielded 13 species, of which two are new host (Gongylonema phasianella) and region (Eucoleus contortus) records and three (Dispharynx nasuta, Tetrameres pattersoni and Oxyspirura petrowi) are known to cause morbidity and mortality. Of the species found, Aulonocephalus pennula commonly occurred, Oxyspirura petrowi was intermediate in prevalence, and the remaining species were rare. Species richness was similar compared to studies from the southeastern U.S., but higher than studies from the same region. In addition, 12 of the 13 species were heteroxenous helminths, supporting the theory that heteroxenous helminths in semi-arid regions are more successful than monoxenous helminths. Prevalence and abundance of A. pennula and O. petrowi were higher in adult bobwhites than in juveniles. Abundance of A. pennula and O. petrowi was higher at southern locations compared to northern locations in the study area. Our study is the first to provide a current assessment of the bobwhite helminth community across the Rolling Plains ecoregion of the U.S.

Predicting seasonal infection of eyeworm (Oxyspirura petrowi) and caecal worm (Aulonocephalus pennula) in northern bobwhite quail (Colinus virginianus) of the Rolling Plains Ecoregion of Texas, USA

“…While there are numerous recent studies on eyeworm and caecal worm prevalence in the Rolling Plains (Dunham et al, 2016b; Henry et al, 2017; Brym et al, 2018; Bruno et al, 2018), this is the first study to analyze and predict eyeworm and caecal worm intensity and reproduction in bobwhites based on climatic factors. By analyzing predictive statistics on available temperature and precipitation data, this study reveals the potential of climate to influence both eyeworms and caecal worms.…”

“…Yet, Henry et al (2017) reported 100% prevalence of eyeworms in bobwhite captured in March 2017 from Mitchell County, Texas. In contrast, caecal worm prevalence has remained at 90%–100% in the Rolling Plains over the past several years, though intensity can vary by individual bobwhite (Dunham et al, 2017b; Brym et al, 2018; Bruno et al, 2018). These differences in prevalence could be explained by variances in temperature and precipitation as environmental conditions may vary from county to county in the Rolling Plains (Modala et al, 2017), potentially impacting intensities of both parasites.…”

“Weight of evidence” as a tool for evaluating disease in wildlife: An example assessing parasitic infection in Northern bobwhite (Colinus virginianus)

“…pennula and O . petrowi , contributing to the declines of local bobwhite populations ( Bruno, 2014 ; Dunham et al, 2014a ; Bruno et al, 2019a ). Evidence exists of parasites like Loa and Thelazia callipaeda , which are closely related to O .…”

Life-cycle of Oxyspirura petrowi (Spirurida: Thelaziidae), an eyeworm of the northern bobwhite quail (Colinus virginianus)

“…In the Rolling Plains, there have been extensive studies investigating the effects of O. petrowi on bobwhite and surveys have identified it to be highly prevalent throughout the ecoregion [7, 12]. For instance, Dunham et al [13] found 58.7% of adult bobwhite across 29 counties in the Rolling Plains to be infected with O. petrowi , while others have found some areas with a prevalence of 100% [10, 11].…”