Helminths of American Robins,Turdus migratorius,and House Sparrows,Passer domesticus(Order: Passeriformes), from Suburban Chicago, Illinois, U.S.A

Abstract

Thirty American robins (Turdus migratorius, Turdidae) and 10 house sparrows (Passer domesticus, Passeridae) were collected in June and July 2010 and 2011 from SW suburban Chicago, Illinois, and examined for helminths. In total, 9 helminth species (1 digenetic trematode: Lutztrema monenteron; 2 cestodes: Choanotaenia sp. and Paricterotaenia sp.; 5 nematodes: Chandlerella quiscali, Porrocaecum ensicaudatum, Splendidofilaria sp., Syngamus trachea, and Synhimantus nasuta; and 1 acanthocephalan: Plagiorhynchus cylindraceus) occurred in 30 American robins. Both Choanotaenia sp. and P. cylindraceus had the highest prevalence (40%). Lutztrema monenteron had the highest mean intensity (37), followed by Syngamus trachea (8.7), which also had the highest mean abundance (3.2). Juvenile American robins were parasitized by 7 of the 9 species, indicating that the majority of parasites found have a focus of infection in the suburban environment. Three helminth species (1 trematode: Urogonimus sp.; 1 cestode: Paricterotaenia sp.; and 1 nematode: Splendidofilaria sp.) occurred in 10 house sparrows. Urogonimus sp. and Paricterotaenia sp. each had a prevalence of 20%. Urogonimus sp. had the highest mean intensity (18.5) and mean abundance (3.7) in house sparrows. Gravid individuals of all helminth species were found. The survey reported herein is consistent with previous helminthological studies conducted on the helminths of American robins and house sparrows, except for the occurrence of Paricterotaenia sp. and Chandlerella quiscali in robins.