Host and geographic distribution of Skrjabinoclava spp. (Nematoda: Acuarioidea) in Nearctic shorebirds (Aves: Charadriiformes), and evidence for transmission in marine habitats in staging and wintering areas

Abstract

Twelve species of shorebirds belonging to the families Charadriidae (N = 3) and Scolopacidae (N = 9) were infected with 11 species of Skrjabinoclava and there was little overlap of parasites between these two families of birds. Most Skrjabinoclava spp. are transmitted apparently in marine staging and (or) wintering areas of their hosts, as indicated by the presence of larval stages of six species. There was no evidence that transmission occurs on the breeding grounds in freshwater habitats. Skrjabinoclava tupacincai, found predominantly in sanderlings (Calidris alba (Pallas)), is transmitted on the Pacific (Washington, California, Chile) and Atlantic coasts (New Jersey) in winter and the Gulf of Mexico (Florida and Texas) in winter and spring. Skrjabinoclava myersi was found, with a single exception, only in sanderlings, and transmission is apparently restricted to coastal Washington and California in winter. Skrjabinoclava bakeri, found predominantly in western sandpipers (Calidris mauri Cabanis), is transmitted on the Pacific coast (California) and in the Gulf of Mexico in winter. Skrjabinoclava morrisoni and Skrjabinoclava pusillae were found mainly in semipalmated sandpipers (Calidrispusilla (L.)). Both parasites are transmitted in the Gulf of Mexico in spring, but S. morrisoni is also transmitted in the Bay of Fundy in fall. Skrjabinoclava inornatae, found mainly in willets (Catoptrophorus semipalmatus (Gmelin)), is transmitted in Louisiana, Texas, and Peru in winter. Skrjabinoclava kritscheri was found only in marbled godwits (Limosafedoa (L.)), and it is suggested that infected birds collected in southern Alberta in spring acquired their infections while wintering along the Pacific coast of the United States. Skrjabinoclava hartwichi, found in black turnstones (Arenaria melanocephala (Vigors)) wintering in California and ruddy turnstones (Arenaria interpres (L.)) wintering in Peru, is transmitted along the Pacific coast of North America. Skrjabinoclava semipalmatae was found in semipalmated plovers (Charadrius semipalmatus Bonaparte) wintering in California. Skrjabinoclava wilsoniae was found in Wilson's plover (Charadrius wilsonia Ord) wintering in Texas and in a black-bellied plover (Pluvialis squatarola (L.)) migrating through southern Alberta in spring. Skrjabinoclava bartlettae was found in black-bellied plovers collected in southern Alberta in spring and Louisiana in winter.