Search

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.

Helminthologic examination of 120 adult and 65 juvenile bobwhites (Colinus virginianus) from Leon County, Florida, during a one-year period revealed seven common (> 30% prevalence) species including Raillietina cesticillus, R. colinia, Cheilospirura spinosa, Cyrnea colini, Heterakis bonasae, Tetrameres pattersoni, and Trichostrongylus tenuis. Less frequently found helminths included Hymenolepis sp., Rhabdometra odiosa, Mediorhynchus papillosis, Aproctella stoddardi, Dispharynx nasuta, Gongylonema ingluvicola, Strongyloides avium, and Subulura sp. Juvenile bobwhites had acquired infections of 6 of the 7 common helminths by July and all seven species by August. A shift from a predominance of immature to mature parasites was noted with increasing age of juvenile bobwhites followed both linear and non-linear (plateau effect) trends when compared to age of the host. By mid-winter total helminth burdens of juvenile birds approached levels in adults. Cheilospirura spinosa, C. colini and T. pattersoni showed marked peaks in transmission between June and September. The two cecal nematodes, H. bonasae and T. tenuis, showed seasonal shifts in relative abundance with H. bonasae predominating during the summer and T. tenuis predominating during the winter. Lesions attributable to helminths were rare and involved minimal tissue damage.

Helminth infections among free-ranging, intermingling populations of white-tailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus), cattle (Bos taurus), and swine (Sus scrofa) on an island off the Georgia coast were studied. Of 39 species of helminths collected, 19 were found in deer, 17 in cattle, and 13 in swine. Of 28 species of helminths recovered from ruminants, 8, viz, Capillaria bovis, Cooperia punctata, Dictyocaulus viviparus, Gongylonema pulchrum, G verrucosum, Haemonchus contortus, Moniezia benedeni, and Trichostrongylus axei, occurred in both deer and cattle. Common liver flukes (Fasciola hepatica) infected cattle and swine but not deer. Only 1 helminth, G pulchrum, infected deer, cattle, and swine. The findings suggested that helminths harbored by the host species are distinct, with little exchange occurring.