Dispharynx Nasuta Research Articles

A seasonal study of the parasites of the red-winged blackbird (Agelaius phoeniceus L.) in Manitoba and Arkansas

Examination of 223 red-winged blackbirds revealed seven trematodes of which Zonorchis petiolatum, Leucochloridium macrostomum, Tanaisia (Tamerlania) zarudnyi, and Tanaisia (Tanaisia) fedtschenkoi are new host records; three cestodes of which Anomotaenia sp. is a new host record; and six nematodes of which Dispharynx nasuta, Diplotriaena bargusinica, and Tetrameres sp. are new host records. Only one acanthocephalan, Mediorhynchus grandis, and three blood protozoa were found. Two protozoa, Parahaemoproteus (= Haemoproteus) orizivora and Plasmodium vaughani, are new host records. The 12 ectoparasites included two new host records, Ceratophyllus garei and Sternostoma tracheacolum. Four nonparasitic organisms were recovered, none of which have been reported associated with this bird.The most common parasites were the trematode Plagiorchis noblei, the louse Brüelia sp., and the feather mite Proctophyllodes egglestoni. Each showed a characteristic seasonal pattern. Ectoparasites were most abundant prior to host breeding, and endoparasites during the host breeding period. Ten species of parasites were ubiquitous according to Dogiel's classification, nine were breeding-site or northern parasites, three were probably migratory, and eight were wintering or southern parasites. Eight other species were tentatively classified according to Dogiel's system, and one species could not be classified.The highest intake of animal food by the host coincided with the peak of endoparasitism.

(Dispharynx nasuta) May Cycle within Avian Zoo Populations

(Dispharynx nasuta) May Cycle within Avian Zoo Populations

STUDIES ON ENDOPARASITES OF THE MOURNING DOVE (Zenaida macroura) IN THE SOUTHEAST UNITED STATES

From September, 1973, through November, 1974, 255 mourning doves (Zenaida macroura) were collected in the southeastern United States and examined for endoparasites. Thirteen species of endoparasites were found and included six species of protozoans, one trematode, two cestodes, and four nematodes. New host records included Sarcocystis sp., Echinostoma revolutum, Hymenolepis sp., Aproctella stoddardi, Ascaridia columbae, and Dispharynx nasuta.

Gastrointestinal Helminths from Turkeys in Southeastern United States

Viscera from 390 wild turkeys (Meleagris gallopavo) from 31 collection areas in 10 southeastern states, from 76 pen-raised wild turkeys from Beaufort County, South Carolina, and from 68 domestic turkeys from 7 farm areas located in the states of Florida, Virginia, and West Virginia were examined for helminths. Species of helminths and infection percentages of wild turkeys (=W), penraised wild turkeys (=P), and domestic turkeys (=D) follow: TREMATODA-Brachylaema virginiana 4.4 percent (W); Cotylurus flabelliformis 4.4 percent (W); Echinoparyphium recurvatum 7.2 percent (W); Zygocotyle lunata 1.8 percent (W). CESTODA-Davainea meleagridis 11 percent (W); Hymenolepis cantaniana 4.1 percent (W), 1.5 (D); Hymenolepis carioca 10.5 percent (W), 7.9 (P), 1.5 (D); Metroliasthes lucida 43.1 percent (W); Raillietina georgiensis 6.2 percent (W), 18.4 (P); Raillietina ransomi 12.6 percent (W), 6.6 (P), 2.9 (D); Raillietina williamsi 39.0 percent (W), 27.6 (P); Hymenolepid 2.6 percent (W). NEMATODA--Ascaridia dissimilis 66.2 percent (W), 71.1 (P), 35.3 (D); Ascaridia galli 1.5 percent (W), 3.9 (P), 17.6 (D); Capillaria bursata 1.3 percent (W), 3.9 (P); Capillaria obsignata 9.7 percent (W), 73.7 (P), 14.7 (D); Heterakis gallinae 62.3 percent (W), 53.9 (P), 36.8 (D); Strongyloides avium 0.3 percent (W); Strongyloides sp. 0.5 percent (W); Trichostrongylus tenuis 5.1 percent (W), 6.6 (P). The following nematodes were reported present in one or more birds: Capillaria annulata (W); Dispharynx nasuta (W) and (P); Gongylonema ingluvicola (W) and (P); Seurocyrnea colini (W) and (P); Seurocyrnea sp. (W) and (P). The two flukes (Brachylaema virginiana and Cotylurus flabelliformis) collected from wild turkeys constituted new host records. Numerous new state records of turkey helminths were established. The high percentage of Capillaria obsignata in pen-raised birds indicates the danger of introducing these birds to new locations. The high infectivity rates of all groups with Heterakis gallinae should not be overlooked because the ova of the cecal worm transmit the etiological agent (Histomonas meleagridis) of blackhead. Information on the geographic distribution and incidence of gastrointestinal helminth infections of wild and pen-raised wild turkeys is limited. In an effort to correct this deficiency, a survey of parasitism in turkeys was conducted, and the findings were compared with a similar study on domestic turkeys. Gardiner and Wehr (1949), Mosby and Handley (1943), and Self and Bouchard (1950) have published limited reports on the incidence of helminth infections among wild turkeys. The interrelationships of parasitism among wild, pen-reared wild, and domestic birds have not been established: for instance, Reid and Nugara (1961) found substantial evidence that a new cestode species (the tapeworm Raillietina georgiensis) had been introduced into a flock of domestic turkeys by penraised wild birds from Fitzgerald, Georgia. This study was partially financed by a National Science Foundation Grant (No. G-12999), by the Southeastern Association of Game and Fish Commissioners, and by the U. S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Region 4). The present report has been condensed from a thesis submitted by the senior author in partial fulfillment of the M.S. degree. For procuring viscera of wild and penraised wild turkeys, specific appreciation is expressed to biologists of the game and fish agencies of Alabama, Arkansas, Florida, 1 Journal series paper No. 262, College Experiment Station, University of Georgia, Athens. 2 Present address: Director, Poultry Diagnostic Laboratory, Charles Pfizer & Company, Inc., Cullman, Alabama.

NEMATODE PARASITES OF VERTEBRATES OF EAST PAKISTAN V. SPIRURID NEMATODES

Viguiera dicrurusi sp. nov. from Dicrurus macrocercus albirctus is described. V. euryoptera Singh, 1949 (not Seurat, 1913) is considered a synonym of V. dicrurusi. A key to the species of the genus Viguiera Seurat, 1913 is given. Redescriptions of Dispharynx nasuta (Rudolphi, 1819) Railliet, Henry, and Sisoff, 1912 from Sturnus c. contra; Torquatella balanocephala Gendre, 1922 from Merops o. orientalis and Castronodus strassenii Singh, 1934 are given. These are all new records from East Pakistan. Dispharynx pavonis Sanwal, 1952 is considered to be a synonym of D. nasuta.

Dispharynx nasuta in Hungarian Partridge in Ontario

Dispharynx nasuta in Hungarian Partridge in Ontario

DISEASE AS A CONTROL OF A POPULATION OF BLUE GROUSE, DENDRAGAPUS OBSCURUS FULIGINOSUS (RIDGWAY)

A population of blue grouse was studied on its summer range at Quinsam Lake, Vancouver Island, to determine the factors of importance in population control. The population is stable with a density of 0.40 adult males and 0.78 yearling and adult females to the acre. A life table is constructed on the basis of a stable population, the death of 80% of the chicks in the first three months after hatch, and the death of 31% of the adults each year, as calculated from banding returns. The survivorship curve is negatively "J"-shaped. Mortality rates appear constant and independent of age after the first year of life. Space, weather, food, predators, and disease are considered as factors capable of population control. Six parasites are new records in this host. Two of the six, Plagiorhynchus formosus and Dispharynx nasuta occur commonly and almost exclusively in the chicks, where they cause extreme damage to the tissues of the gut. It is concluded that parasitism by these helminths is an important mortality factor in the chicks and a major cause of population stability—an equilibrium between death in the older age classes and replacement by surviving young.