Abstract
Knowledge about parasitic organisms in Antarctica is scarce and fragmentary. The study reported here adds to the knowledge of gastrointestinal parasites of the Adelie penguin ( Pygoscelis adeliae ) (Sphenisciformes), from 25 de Mayo/King George Island (South Shetlands), Bahia Esperanza (Hope Bay) and Avian Island (Antarctica). Thirty-five freshly dead specimens (20 chicks and 15 adults) were collected from December 2007 to December 2014 and examined for internal macroparasites. Three adult parasite species were found: one Cestoda, Parorchites zederi , and two Nematoda, Stegophorus macronectes and Tetrameres sp. Immature Tetrabothrius sp. were found in hosts from Avian Island. Helminth communities are known to be related to host feeding behaviours. Low parasite richness observed in Adelie penguins could be related to the stenophagic and pelagic diet of this host species, which feeds almost exclusively on krill. Keywords: Parorchites zederi ; Stegophorus macronectes ; Tetrameres sp.; parasites; ecosystem health. (Published: 16 June 2016) Citation: Polar Research 2016, 35 , 28516,http://dx.doi.org/10.3402/polar.v35.28516
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