Helminth community structure and pattern in two allopatric populations of a nonmigratory waterfowl species (Anas fulvigula)

Abstract

Helminth communities of mottled ducks (Anas fulvigula) from Florida and Texas were species rich and diverse. The helminth component community in the mottled duck population from Texas contained more species than were found in the Florida host population. However, infracommunities of birds from Florida and Texas contained 9.5 ± 0.7 (mean ± SE) and 9.3 + 0.7 species, respectively. Similarity indices indicated less commonality of helminth species between the 2 host populations; 23 of the 42 species found across the 2 populations co-occurred. Eight helminth species from each host population were recurrent group or associate members; however, only 3 species (Amidostomum acutum, Capillaria contorta, and Tetrameres spp.) maintained group membership across both host populations. Maritrema paracadiae and Psilochasmus oxyurus were absent in birds from Florida but were recurrent group members in the host population from Texas. Only 2 recurrent group members (A. acutum and Epomidiostomum uncinatum) in birds from Florida were members of the same feeding guild and shared the same microhabitat. Three distinct feeding guilds, each containing 2 species, were found in birds from Texas. Results suggest that habitat diversity of the host plays an important part in determining species richness; however, important helminth species in both mottled duck populations are those commonly found in other Anatini from North America.

Echinuria uncinata (Rudolphi) (Nematoda, Acuariidae) in Netta peposaca (Vieillot) (Aves, Anatidae) in South America

“…According to WORK et al (2004), this nematode can cause significant mortalities in bird populations under stress, such as drought, in which case birds would concentrate in small water collections, thus increasing the chance of being exposed to infected intermediate hosts. Apparently this has not been the case either in the study of FEDYNICH et al (1996) or in the present study. AUSTIN & WELCH (1972) indicated that the age of the host may play a role in the susceptibility to parasitism, the older ducks being more resistant to infection, as were the birds in the present work.…”

“…-the northern region of Argentina -one of the breeding grounds. Low prevalence of E. uncinata has also been found by FEDYNICH et al (1996) in two allopatric populations (Florida -2 of 20 = 10% and Texas -1 of 20 = 5%) of A. fulvigula, a nonmigratory anatid. These authors also found low intensities of infection (Florida -5 and 6 and Texas -2), as it is reported in the present work.…”

“…The lesions found in the waterfowl at Delta, Manitoba were described and experiments were conducted with several species of anatids to determine their susceptibility to E. uncinata. OULD & WELCH (1980) FEDYNICH et al (1996) recorded the presence of E. uncinata in the only helminth community structure and pattern study of two allopatric populations of Anas fulvigula Ridgway, 1874, conducted on a nonmigratory waterfowl species in North America.…”

Helminth Communities of Owls (Strigiformes) Indicate Strong Biological and Ecological Differences from Birds of Prey (Accipitriformes and Falconiformes) in Southern Italy

“…In a recent published study from Calabria we found significant differences in both diversity and composition among helminths communities of 5 species of birds of prey [18]. Because several intrinsic and extrinsic factors including host age, sex, size, diet, habitat, behavior, migration, distribution and geographical range have all been recognized as variables influencing richness and diversity of parasite communities [18], [19], [20], [21], [22], [23], [24], [25], [26], [27], [28], we used a large sample of owl carcasses from southern Italy to evaluate the relative importance of the above mentioned variables on host biology, ecology and phylogeny on the structure of host-parasite associations at two taxonomical scales, i.e., between owl species, and between owls and birds of prey. The analysis benefits from the putative similarity in the regional pool of parasite species and the overall environmental characteristics from where owls and birds of prey were obtained.…”

First report of the digenetic trematode Psilochasmus oxyurus (Creplin) in the domestic goose, Anser anser (Linnaeus) in South America

“…Helminth surveys of geese report to a large number of species parasitizing these hosts, mostly in Europe, where these birds are highly considered due to their commercial value. GICIK & 1972, TURNER & THRELFALL 1975, BATHIA et al 1979, MCLAUGHLIN & BURT 1979, FEDYNICH et al 1996, DALIMI & MOBEDI 1998. In South America, the species was firstly reported in Brazil by TRAVASSOS (1921) as P. agilis (later considered a synonymy of P. oxyurus), on the basis of specimens recovered from Anas bahamensis Linnaeus, 1758 and in Argentina by SZIDAT (1957) during experimental studies of the life cycle of the species infecting chickens (Gallus gallus Linnaeus, 1758) and by LABRIOLA & SURIANO (2001), in an investigation of the community structure of helminths in Larus maculipennis Lichtenstein, 1823.…”