Gastrointestinal Helminth Communities of Bobwhite Quail

Abstract

We found 12 species of intestinal helminths in 158 Northern Bobwhites (Colinus virginianus) in northern Florida (1983—1984). Of these, six species were common: the cestodes Raillietina cesticillus and R. colinia, the cecal nematodes Heterakis isolonche and Trichostrongylus tenuis, the proventricular nematode Dispharynx nasuta, and the gizzard nematode Cyrnea colini. Four pairs of species had statistically significant numerical associations: the cestodes were negatively associated, and positive associations existed between the cecal nematodes, R. cesticillus—D. nasuta, and H. isolonche—C. colini. When either cecal nematode was present in high densities, H. isolonche shifted its location, indicating a possible negative interaction. There were some intraspecific relationships between cestode density and mean location, variance, and biomass. In addition, R. cesticillus biomass was negatively correlated with R. colinia density. This community, while not characterized by high species richness, is readily colonized and exhibits evidence of inter— and intraspecific interaction. It does not conform to current models of parasite community structure.