Gizzard Helminths in Female Northern Pintails ( Anas acuta) Wintering Along the Texas Coast

J Parasitol. 2018 Jun;104(3):289-291. doi: 10.1645/17-175. Epub 2018 Feb 27.

Abstract

Gizzard helminths were examined in 100 (50 adult, 50 juvenile) female northern pintails ( Anas acuta). Sixty-three individual helminths, representing 5 species ( Amidostomum acutum, Echinuria uncinata, Epomidiostomum uncinatum, Streptocara crassicauda, and Gastrotaenia cygni) were found. Twenty-seven northern pintails were infected with 1-3 helminth species and averaged 1.4 species. Overall, A. acutum and G. cygni were the most prevalent and abundant species (20%, n = 31 and 10%, n = 25, respectively), followed by S. crassicauda (5%, n = 5), E. uncinata (1%, n = 1), and E. uncinatum (1%, n = 1). Intensity of infection for A. acutum, E. uncinata, E. uncinatum, S. crassicauda, and G. cygni was 1.6 ± 0.3 [SE], 1.0 ± 0, 1.0 ± 0, 1.0 ± 0, and 2.5 ± 0.6, respectively. Our findings represent new information about gizzard helminth infections in northern pintails wintering along the Texas coast.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Animal Migration
  • Animals
  • Bird Diseases / epidemiology
  • Bird Diseases / parasitology*
  • Cestoda / isolation & purification
  • Ducks / parasitology*
  • Female
  • Gizzard, Avian / parasitology*
  • Helminthiasis, Animal / epidemiology
  • Helminthiasis, Animal / parasitology*
  • Seasons
  • Spirurina / isolation & purification
  • Texas / epidemiology
  • Trichostrongyloidea / isolation & purification