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Understanding the relative contributions of historical and anthropogenic factors to declines in genetic diversity is important for informing conservation action. Using genome-wide DNA of fresh and historic specimens, including that of two species widely thought to be extinct, we investigated fluctuations in genetic diversity and present the first complete phylogenomic tree for all nine species of the threatened shorebird genus Numenius, known as whimbrels and curlews. Most species faced sharp declines in effective population size, a proxy for genetic diversity, soon after the Last Glacial Maximum (around 20,000 years ago). These declines occurred prior to the Anthropocene and in spite of an increase in the breeding area predicted by environmental niche modeling, suggesting that they were not caused by climatic or recent anthropogenic factors. Crucially, these genetic diversity declines coincide with mass extinctions of mammalian megafauna in the Northern Hemisphere. Among other factors, the demise of ecosystem-engineering megafauna which maintained open habitats may have been detrimental for grassland and tundra-breeding Numenius shorebirds. Our work suggests that the impact of historical factors such as megafaunal extinction may have had wider repercussions on present-day population dynamics of open habitat biota than previously appreciated.

The article presents information related to the birds species Red partridge (Alectoris rufa) and the specied of hare Iberian hare (Lepus granatensis). It mentions that prey species associated, such as curlews, quail, pigeons, turtle doves, passerines and micro mammals among others, as predators do not distinguish.

The article focuses on the creation of hedges and creation of boundaries for fauna. Topics include an essential food source for red partridges, quail, curlews, little bustards, arthropods and many other species; the construction of the ridge to carry out with an agricultural tractor using a moldboard, or another specialized tool; and the construction of the ridge, accompanied by the planting of native species with high branches.

Shorebirds migrating along the East Asian-Australasian Flyway (EAAF) have been drastically decreasing due to continuous area loss and quality degradation of intertidal mudflats in the Yellow Sea. Evaluating the current habitat quality by means of habitat carrying capacity estimation could be effective in predicting the magnitude of impacts caused by habitat loss and provide better understanding to improve management strategies. In this study, we estimated the total biomass of Macrophthalmus japonicus, a main prey item of curlews in the Korea peninsular as habitat carrying capacity of the southern intertidal mudflat of Ganghwa Island, one of the key stopover sites for curlews in the EAAF. The result of the estimation took into account spatial differences of prey biomass and the available foraging time by tide patterns. Accordingly, it was found that curlew populations account for 30.26% of the habitat carrying capacity. When we calculated the mean biomass of the area and extrapolated it to the whole area to calculate the total biomass, it was found that the curlews have consumed 10.92% of the total biomass. The results show that the habitat carrying capacity of the southern intertidal mudflat of Ganghwa Island has decreased by 7.8% compared to a study conducted twenty years ago employing the same method. This study shows that there can be considerable differences in the results of habitat carrying capacity estimation between different methods, indicating that various environmental factors that affect the estimation results of habitat carrying capacity must be considered to achieve a more precise analysis and assessment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Coastal pastures provide supplementary foraging habitats for migratory shorebirds that rely on intertidal areas outside the breeding season. However, their role as foraging grounds for shorebirds is poorly understood. Here, we assessed the food supply, prey size selection, foraging behaviour and estimated consumption of a migratory shorebird, the near-threatened Eurasian Curlew Numenius arquata, at two temperate coastal pastures in northern Spain. Wintering Curlews only fed on earthworms (Oligochaeta), the main food available at coastal pastures. Average density and biomass were 102.3 ± 22.2 earthworms/m2 and 5.8 ± 1.3 g AFDW/m2, respectively, and only the density of surface living (i.e. epigeic) earthworms declined at the end of the winter. This food supply was comparatively high with respect to the biomass available in other man-made coastal habitats used by shorebirds wintering in temperate regions. Unexpectedly, the density of Curlews was higher at the pasture with the lowest food availability, though it declined significantly throughout the season at this site. Interestingly, Curlews preferentially selected the smallest size class (<32.5 mm) of epigeic earthworms, implying that a trade-off between energy intake rate and other fitness components could exist. Estimated consumption by Curlews was consistent with observed reductions in earthworm densities at both sites, thus reflecting a robust interaction between Curlews and epigeic earthworms at these agroecosystems throughout the non-breeding season. Our results highlight the potential role of earthworm communities at coastal pastures as food supply for declining migratory shorebirds. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Populations of meadow waders have shown steep declines in Europe during recent decades. However, empirical evidence concerning habitat preferences of different species in east Europe is largely lacking. In this study we investigate occurrence of the Eurasian curlew ( Numenius arquata ), black-tailed godwit ( Limosa limosa ), common redshank ( Tringa totanus ) and northern lapwing ( Vanellus vanellus ) in 413 grassland plots (c. 50,000 ha in total) located in Polish lowland surveyed three times during spring of 2015 and 2016. Using hierarchical occupancy models corrected for imperfect detection we link local water conditions, forest cover and scattered trees and presence of cows and buildings with occurrence of waders. Presence of godwit positively correlated with flooding and wetness while negatively with drainage ditches and single trees. Redshank was positively associated with flooding and negatively with ditches and proximity to buildings. Lapwing was less often observed in proximity to buildings and at sites with numerous trees whereas curlews, showed no clear associations with any of the environmental variables investigated. Detectability of studied species (except godwit) was higher when corvids were present suggesting that species interactions may affect detection. Field survey conditions (e.g. time of day, number of visit) also contributed to detectability of all studied species. Our study suggest that water availability, including natural flooding, increases habitat quality for breeding waders, while single trees and farm buildings may reduce grassland availability for these species. Thus waders-oriented agri-environment subsidies, besides adjusting grassland management to breeding phenology, should also focus on wetness and openness of grasslands. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Bristle-thighed Curlews ( Numenius tahitiensis, hereafter 'curlews') breed only on low Arctic tundra in the southern Nulato Hills of the Yukon Delta National Wildlife Refuge (NWR) and on the Seward Peninsula, Alaska. Curlews use several distinct habitat types on the breeding grounds; however, quantified data of habitat use by curlews exist only for the Seward Peninsula. We investigated which available habitats on the breeding grounds were used most often by curlews in the Nulato Hills and compared availability with use to determine habitat selection using a land cover layer created in ArcGIS based on aerial photography and ground referenced locations. We also compared curlew habitat usage at our study site to habitats used on the Seward Peninsula. We used vegetation quadrats to determine plant composition within each habitat. We also determined percentage of habitat and plant composition within curlew territories. Curlews preferred shrub meadow tundra which consisted primarily of lichens (>50%), mixed with graminoid/herbaceous plants (∼13%) and few dwarf shrubs. Medium/tall shrub habitats, especially tall shrub thickets, were generally avoided by curlews on the ground, but the curlews were commonly observed flying and displaying over the shrubs. Low shrub tussock tundra and sedge wet meadows were occasionally used by curlews but not to the extent of shrub meadow tundra. The avoidance by curlews of areas with medium to tall shrubs was probably related to potential predation risks associated with reduced visibility in these habitats. Habitat selection was similar for both breeding populations of curlews, except curlews at our study site used shrub meadow tundra more frequently and low shrub tussock tundra and sedge wet meadow to a lesser degree than on the Seward Peninsula. Habitats differed in number of berry-producing plants. Berry-producing plants were predicted to be highest in the habitat curlews selected most (i.e., shrub meadow tundra); however, they were most abundant in habitats associated with tussocks. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Palmyra Atoll, USA, in the Central Pacific, has remained mostly uninhabited since construction and abandonment of a U.S. naval base during World War II. However, the effects of Navy modifications have persisted, affecting physical conditions and benthic habitat quality of Palmyra's lagoon sand flats. Sand flats provide important nonbreeding habitat for Bristle-thighed Curlews (Numeniw tahitknsis), a migratory shorebird listed as "vulnerable" by the Inter-national Union for Conservation of Nature and Natural Resources. We used camera trapping, observations of focal individuals, and quantification of prey availability and sediment characteristics to assess curlew habitat use across different levels of historical anthropogenic impact. Habitat preferences were not determined by the degree of land reclamation impact on lagoon flat habitat, although the two most preferred sites were both highly impacted. Curlew abundance was most strongly correlated with availability of prey items, such as spionid polychaetes (Malacoceros sp.). Our findings provide new ecological information on a shorebird species that is rarely studied and provides useful information for habitat management at Palmyra Atoll and other curlew wintering grounds. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article suggests that the path to extinction of Slender-billed Curlew Numenius tenuirostris may have been incorrectly delineated, referencing the article "Facing Extinction: The World's Rarest Birds and the Race to Save Them" by P. F. Donald and colleagues.

The article features the 71st report of the Colorado Bird Records Committee (CBRC) covering the period December 1997-September 2013. Topics discussed include the committee members voting on the report, the functions of the CRBC and the state bird species covered in the report, including Magnificent Frigatebird, White Ibis and Curlew Sandpiper.

The article reviews the identification criteria and variability of the Slender-billed Curlew Numenius tenuirostris. Topics covered include the materials used to assess the characteristics of the bird, the importance of establishing the age of a suspected Slender-billed Curlew and the usual timing of the post-juvenile moult. Also presented are some illustrations showing the variation in flank feather pattern of older and younger birds.

Changes in large-scale land use may fragment and degrade habitats, affecting animal species adapted to these habitats. In the UK uplands for example, changes in sheep and game management, and afforestation, have altered the configuration of internationally important moorland habitat and are predicted to have increased predation pressure for a globally unique suite of breeding birds of international conservation importance., Some of these upland bird species have declined, with particular concern over ground-nesting waders. Using resurveys of the rapidly declining Eurasian curlew Numenius arquata as a focal species of global conservation concern, we investigate whether upland land use predicts low nesting success and population decline., Curlew population changes over an 8- to 10-year period were positively related to gamekeeper density (a surrogate of predator control intensity) and inversely to the area of woodland surrounding sites, as a likely source of predators to adjacent open ground. Model predictions suggest that increasing woodland cover from 0% to 10% of the land area within 1 km of populated sites requires an increase in human predator control effort of about 48%, to a level associated with high-intensity grouse production, to achieve curlew population stability., Curlew nesting success, known to be a key driver of population trends, was also positively related to gamekeeper density and inversely to woodland area surrounding sites, providing a plausible mechanistic link between land use and population change., Synthesis and applications. Upland land use is associated with curlew declines, with predation a likely mechanism, and this may apply to other breeding waders. The removal of isolated woodland plantations from otherwise unafforested landscapes may help reduce predation pressure across a range of systems including moorland. However, direct predator control may also be important to conserve ground-nesting birds in these landscapes, for example, where moorland management and forestry coexist as major land uses. Predator control may also mitigate climate change effects by enhancing wader productivity, particularly where climate effects coincide with changing land use. Emerging land uses in open landscapes, including native woodland restoration and wind farms, require careful siting to minimize further impacts on open-area breeding birds. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Coastal pastures are common agroecosystems adjacent to estuarine areas that can provide valuable habitat for wildlife, particularly for migratory shorebirds. Disentangling the factors that influence coastal pasture use by wintering shorebirds will provide new insights into its role for buffering human disturbances and habitat loss in intertidal areas. We examined whether numbers of two shorebirds (Eurasian curlew and Black-tailed godwit) foraging actively on coastal pastures was affected by weather conditions, tidal stage (low/high tide) and number of harvesters at intertidal areas throughout winter. Both species frequently used coastal pastures and most individuals foraged actively there. The average percentage of the total wintering population of curlews and godwits foraging on coastal pastures was 27.4 and 7.8 %, respectively, and was significantly higher during high tide compared to low tide. The number of harvesters on mudflats also had a positive significant effect in explaining the presence of curlews, and to a lesser extent for godwits, on coastal pastures, and accumulated rainfall had a positive effect for both species too. These supratidal areas were consistently used as alternative foraging grounds during low tide by curlews, as well as supplementary foraging areas during high tide by wintering populations of both large shorebirds. By supplementary foraging, wintering curlews, and probably godwits, seemed to compensate for a negative effect of the presence of harvesters on their foraging activity. We recommend managing of those coastal agricultural fields adjacent to intertidal foraging grounds in order to increase the availability of supratidal foraging habitats for declining shorebird populations. These habitats may thus have a beneficial role in sustaining populations of wintering shorebirds, but further studies are needed to estimate if birds can compensate for any shortfall in daily energy budget by supplementary foraging on coastal pastures, thus providing insights into whether they are involved in large-scale population regulation of migratory birds. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article examines the habitat preference and factors that contribute to the increasing number of Bush Stone-curlews (Burhinus grallarius) on Coochiemudlo Island, Southeast Queensland. The trend in community counts of the species on the island made over 15 years is examined. The habitat preferences based on 18 paired presence/absence sites on the island are explored. Findings show that the numbers of Bush Stone-curlews have increased since the early 2000s and have remained stable since 2007.

Copyright of Journal of Field Ornithology is the property of Resilience Alliance and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

The article discusses the impact of climate and predation on the annual migration of Curlew Sandpiper, Calidris ferruginea, in Sweden from 1946 to 2005. During the period, median migration dates of adults have advanced by 23 days but juvenile migration dates remained unchanged which indicate that earlier departure of adults was not due to earlier breeding but declining productivity as a result of increasing predation by shorebirds. Consequently, there was a mismatch between timing of migration and periods of abundance leading to a decline in population.

As species become very rare and approach extinction, purported sightings can stir controversy, especially when scarce management resources are at stake. We used quantitative methods to identify reports that do not fit prior sighting patterns. We also examined the effects of including records that meet different evidentiary standards on quantitative extinction assessments for four charismatic bird species that might be extinct: Eskimo Curlew (Numenius borealis ), Ivory-billed Woodpecker (Campephilus principalis ), Nukupu`u (Hemignathus lucidus ), and O`ahu `Alauahio (Paroreomyza maculata ). For all four species the probability of there being a valid sighting today, given the past pattern of verified sightings, was estimated to be very low. The estimates of extinction dates and the chance of new sightings, however, differed considerably depending on the criteria used for data inclusion. When a historical sighting record lacked long periods without sightings, the likelihood of new sightings declined quickly with time since the last confirmed sighting. For species with this type of historical record, therefore, new reports should meet an especially high burden of proof to be acceptable. Such quantitative models could be incorporated into the International Union for Conservation of Nature's Red List criteria to set evidentiary standards required for unconfirmed sightings of “possibly extinct” species and to standardize extinction assessments across species. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: One of the main conservation priorities in many geographical regions for intertidal estuaries is to protect and maintain internationally important numbers of migratory shorebirds (Charadrii). Traditional harvesting practices at low tide cause alterations to the surface of the intertidal habitat by trampling and digging the substrate to obtain benthic resources, which may have negative effects on shorebirds. Here, we conducted a BACI (Before–After Control-Impact) experiment to monitor changes in foraging ecology of Eurasian curlews Numenius arquata, before and after an experimental disturbance of the intertidal mud in a key stopover area for migratory shorebirds. Mean density of curlews, foraging activity, feeding rate, percentage of crabs in the diet, size of crabs, and foraging speed differed neither between treatment and control plots, nor between before and after mud disturbance. The feeding technique was similar between treatment and control plots, but differed significantly between periods. These findings suggest that mud disturbance by harvesters working by hand did not affect curlew fitness by altering the energy deposition necessary for long-distance migration. Although conclusions must be extrapolated with caution to other sites and/or species, the Santoña Marshes Natural Park may provide a potentially good example of compatibility between shorebird conservation and traditional low tide harvesting practices. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Broadscale habitat use by Eastern Curlews ( Numenius madagascariensis) in their non-breeding range in eastern Australia was assessed using low tide surveys on feeding grounds, where 60 skilled volunteers made repeated counts of the birds on intertidal flats, across 41% (9500 ha) of the intertidal habitat within Moreton Bay, Australia. We analysed 32 defined sections of intertidal flat, of roughly equal area (mostly 200–400 ha), which varied greatly in their curlew density (2–47 birds per 100 ha) and also in substrate and other environmental features. Sites with the least resistant substrates had densities three times those with the most resistant substrates. Of 10 environmental characteristics measured for each site, substrate resistance was the best predictor of curlew density ( r2 = 0.45). Characteristics that were poor predictors included distance to the nearest roost, level of human disturbance and distance to urban settlement. For a finer-scale assessment, microhabitat use and feeding behaviour were recorded during low tide within 12 intertidal flats, which varied in size (23–97 ha), substrate, topography and other features. Across all flats, curlews strongly preferred to feed relatively close (0–50 m) to the low-water line. They fed on a variety of substrates (including sand, sandy-mud, mud and seagrass) in broadly similar proportions to their occurrence in the habitat. There was a statistically significant preference for sand, although its magnitude was not strong. These results indicate that curlews select habitat most strongly at a between-flat rather than within-flat scale. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Because of potential conflicts between commercial and conservation interests, one challenge in coastal-area management is how to regulate harvesting practices in coastal areas without adversely affecting the survival of migratory waterbirds. In most Spanish intertidal areas of importance for shorebirds, managers have concentrated only on stock management of the shellfish species. Here, we studied aspects of the foraging behaviour of Eurasian curlews Numenius arquata migrating through a Ramsar area in north Spain in the presence and absence of hand harvesters. We aimed to assess potential negative effects on curlews with a view to making coastal management recommendations that would help reduce conflict between local people and waterbirds. The average density of hand harvesters and foraging curlews at low tide was 0.56±0.09 persons per 10 ha and 16.47±0.73 birds per 10 ha, respectively. The presence of harvesters had a significant effect on foraging activity (no harvesting: 86.47±1.01%; harvesting: 82.70±1.00%). However, the absence of significant differences in all other foraging variables, between days with and without harvesting, indicated that curlews were able to compensate for the impact of harvesters on their foraging activity. We recommend, as a point of departure, that intertidal coastal managers of this Spanish site and similar areas of importance for shorebirds limit the harvesting load to <0.56 persons per 10 ha−1 at least during autumn migration. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Journal of Field Ornithology is the property of Resilience Alliance and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Rates of food intake in animals consuming abundant prey can be constrained by the rates of digestion or excretion of ingested substances, such as salt, particularly so in the animals that regularly migrate between freshwater and saltwater environments. We tested this hypothesis in a long-distance migrant shorebird, the eastern curlew Numenius madagascariensis (suborder Charadrii), foraging on intertidal decapods in eastern Australia. We predicted that if food intake rates are constrained osmotically, individuals with access to freshwater and less saline prey (FW group) would have higher rates of food and water intake than individuals with seawater-only access (SW group). Food intake rates did not differ between the FW and SW groups (0.14 g ash-free dry mass min−1), nor did the water influx rates (0.75 g min−1). Salt intake rates were lower at FW sites (19.3 versus 23.3 mg NaCl min−1) and overall they were similar to those of marine birds. Food intake rate in the eastern curlew appeared limited by digestive rather than by osmoregulatory capacity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Eastern curlewsNumenius madagascariensisspending the nonbreeding season in eastern Australia foraged on three intertidal decapods: soldier crabMictyris longicarpus, sentinel crabMacrophthalmus crassipesand ghost-shrimpTrypaea australiensis. Due to their ecology, these crustaceans were spatially segregated (=distributed in‘patches’) and the curlews intermittently consumed more than one prey type. It was predicted that if the curlews behaved as intake rate maximizers, the time spent foraging on a particular prey (patch) would reflect relative availabilities of the prey types and thus prey-specific intake rates would be equal. During the mid-nonbreeding period (November–December),MictyrisandMacrophthalmuswere primarily consumed and prey-specific intake rates were statistically indistinguishable (8.8 versus 10.1 kJ×min−1). Prior to migration (February),MictyrisandTrypaeawere hunted and the respective intake rates were significantly different (8.9 versus 2.3 kJ×min−1). Time allocation toTrypaea-hunting was independent of the availability ofMictyris. Thus, consumption ofTrypaeadepressed the overall intake rate. Six hypotheses for consumingTrypaeabefore migration were examined. Five hypotheses: the possible error by the predator, prey specialization, observer overestimation of time spent huntingTrypaea, supplementary prey and the choice of higher quality prey due to a digestive bottleneck, were deemed unsatisfactory. The explanation for consumption of a low intake-rate but high quality prey (Trypaea) deemed plausible was diet optimisation by the curlews in response to the pre-migratory modulation (decrease in size/processing capacity) of their digestive system. With a seasonal decrease in the average intake rate, the estimated intake per low tide increased from 1233 to 1508 kJ between the mid-nonbreeding and pre-migratory periods by increasing the overall time spent on the sandflats and the proportion of time spent foraging. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article presents a study, which is related to the relationship between prey density and territory size in non-breeding Eastern CurlewsNumenius madagascariensis. Two hypotheses have been proposed to explain the variation in territory size observed within populations. Hypothesis I assumes that individuals can assess the local food density; territory size is then determined by the amount of food contained within the territory. Under Hypothesis II, an animal defends as large an area as possible and the size of the territory is regulated by intruder pressure from the other animals in the population. These hypotheses need not be mutually exclusive. When territories are used only for foraging, as in non-breeding shorebirds, areas with greater prey densities, providing higher intake rates, are likely to attract more competitors. These areas therefore will be more costly to defend.

The possibility of premigratory modulation in gastric digestive performance was investigated in a long-distance migrant, the eastern curlew (Numenius madagascariensis), in eastern Australia. The rate of intake in the curlews was limited by the rate of digestion but not by food availability. It was hypothesized that before migration, eastern curlews would meet the increased energy demand by increasing energy consumption. It was predicted that (1) an increase in the rate of intake and the corresponding rate of gastric throughput would occur or (2) the gastric digestive efficiency would increase between the mid-nonbreeding and premigratory periods. Neither crude intake rate (the rate of intake calculated including inactive pauses; 0.22 g DM [grams dry mass] or 3.09 kJ min[sup-1]) nor the rate of gastric throughput (0.15 g DM or 2.85 kJ min[sup-1]) changed over time. Gastric digestive efficiency did not improve between the periods (91%) nor did the estimated overall energy assimilation efficiency (63% and 58%, respectively). It was concluded that the crustacean-dominated diet of the birds is processed at its highest rate and efficiency throughout a season. It appears that without a qualitative shift in diet, no increase in intake rate is possible. Accepting these findings at their face value poses the question of how and over what time period the eastern curlews store the nutrients necessary for the ensuing long, northward nonstop flight. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

1. The present study investigated breeding success and causes of breeding failure of curlew, a species for which the UK holds internationally important breeding numbers. Studies were undertaken between 1993 and 1995 in two areas of Northern Ireland, where the species’ breeding range has recently contracted and breeding numbers are declining. Avian nest predators were abundant in both areas, whereas foxes were abundant on the Antrim study area but generally were absent from the Lough Erne study area, which was mainly islands. 2. Productivity was estimated to be 0·14–0·26 fledglings per pair in Antrim and 0·20–0·47 fledglings per pair on Lough Erne. These figures are lower than most estimates of productivity from other studies of breeding curlew. The differences between the recorded productivity levels and those estimated to be required to maintain a stable population are sufficient to account for the observed decline in Northern Ireland's breeding curlew population. 3. Predation was the main proximate cause of breeding failure, with nest predation being of most importance in reducing productivity. Only 3·6–19·0% of all nests hatched on each study area in each year, with nest predation accounting for 85–97% of failures. Survival of chicks from hatching to 31 days of age was 38·5% in Antrim and 19·1–29·2% on Lough Erne. Predation accounted for 74% of chick mortality. 4. Nest failure rates were not related to the vegetation height around nests nor to clutch laying date on either study area. They differed among the islands and one shoreside site on Lough Erne. Almost all nest predation on Lough Erne was attributable to avian predators, but in Antrim foxes probably accounted for most nest predation. The likelihood of predation on chicks was not related to their hatching date, hatching weight or body condition. 5. The results from this study suggest that predation rates on curlew... [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper examines patterns of structure in the helminth communities of long-billed curlews collected on their breeding grounds in Alberta, Canada. The communities are neither large nor species rich but they do show evidence of having structure which is mediated by interactive mechanisms between some helminths. In particular, we focus on the role played by congeneric host-specialists in contributing to community patterns and suggest that even in low diversity systems, some species may set the stage around which other species must assort. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]