Helminth Parasites of Dowitchers, Limnodromus griseus from Alaska, and Limnodromus scolopaceus from Montana, U.S.A.

Abstract

In total, 14 species of helminths (4 trematodes, 8 cestodes, 1 nematode, 1 acanthocephalan) were recovered from 22 long-billed dowitchers, Limnodromus scolopaceus, in eastern Montana. All 22 birds were infected, and species richness ranged from 2 to 6 (mean 3.1). Nine species of helminths (2 trematodes, 7 cestodes) were recovered from 10 short-billed dowitchers, Limnodromus griseus, from Bristol Bay, Alaska. All 10 birds were infected, and species richness ranged from 1 to 5 (mean 3.2). The helminth faunas of both species of dowitchers were dominated by cestodes, including Shipleya inermis and 5 species of Aploparaksis, common to both species of host. Aploparaksis parabirulai is reported for the first time from North America and from L. scolopaceus.