Streptocara Crassicauda Research Articles

Morphology of Streptocara crassicauda and S. recta, with a Review of the Genus Streptocara (Nematoda: Acuariidae) and an Identification Key to Its Species

The cosmopolitan genus Streptocara Railliet, Henry and Sisoff, 1912 (Nematoda: Acuariidae) comprises parasites of the upper alimentary tract of aquatic and, rarely, terrestrial birds. Two species of the genus Streptocara are redescribed from Bulgaria by means of light and scanning electron microscopy: Streptocara crassicauda (Creplin, 1829), based on specimens from Larus genei, Larus minutus (Laridae) and Aythya ferina (Anatidae), and Streptocara recta (von Linstow, 1879) from Podiceps nigricollis (Podicipedidae). This is the first record of S. recta from Bulgaria. The host and distribution records of the species of the genus Streptocara are reviewed. Six species are recognised as valid. Streptocara crassicauda (Creplin, 1829), S. californica (Gedoelst, 1919), S. formosensis Sugimoto, 1930 and S. incognita Gibson, 1968, seem to be parasites well-adapted to birds of the family Anatidae (Anseriformes) and occasionally found in other birds, whereas S. recta (von Linstow, 1879) and S. longispiculata Gibson, 1968, are specialists of Podicipediformes and Gaviiformes, respectively. Streptocara indica Fotedar and Chishti, 1974, is recognised as a junior synonym of S. crassicauda, and Schistogendra oligopapillata Zhang and An, 2002, is considered as a junior synonym of Streptocara formosensis Sugimoto, 1930. An identification key to the species of the genus Streptocara is proposed.

Gizzard Helminths in the Gadwall (Mareca strepera) Wintering Along the Mid-Texas Coast

We examined the gizzards of 80 hunter-shot gadwalls (Mareca strepera) collected November–January during the 2008–2009 (n = 46) and 2009–2010 (n = 34) hunting seasons at the Justin Hurst Wildlife Management Area in Brazoria County, Texas, U.S.A., and the Mad Island Wildlife Management Area in Matagorda County, Texas. Three species of nematodes (Amidostomum acutum, Epomidiostomum uncinatum, and Streptocara crassicauda) were found comprising 237 individuals. Epomidiostomum uncinatum was the most prevalent (55%), followed by A. acutum (53%) and S. crassicauda (1%). Intensity of infection of A. acutum and E. uncinatum averaged 2.8 ± 0.3 (SE) and 2.7 ± 0.3, respectively, and mean abundance averaged 1.5 ± 0.2 and 1.5 ± 0.2, respectively. Differences in prevalence and mean abundance for A. acutum and E. uncinatum were not significant by hunting season, host age, or host sex. Our findings represent new information about gizzard helminth infections in gadwalls wintering along the mid-Texas coast.

Gizzard Helminths in Female Northern Pintails ( Anas acuta) Wintering Along the Texas Coast.

Gizzard helminths were examined in 100 (50 adult, 50 juvenile) female northern pintails ( Anas acuta). Sixty-three individual helminths, representing 5 species ( Amidostomum acutum, Echinuria uncinata, Epomidiostomum uncinatum, Streptocara crassicauda, and Gastrotaenia cygni) were found. Twenty-seven northern pintails were infected with 1-3 helminth species and averaged 1.4 species. Overall, A. acutum and G. cygni were the most prevalent and abundant species (20%, n = 31 and 10%, n = 25, respectively), followed by S. crassicauda (5%, n = 5), E. uncinata (1%, n = 1), and E. uncinatum (1%, n = 1). Intensity of infection for A. acutum, E. uncinata, E. uncinatum, S. crassicauda, and G. cygni was 1.6 ± 0.3 [SE], 1.0 ± 0, 1.0 ± 0, 1.0 ± 0, and 2.5 ± 0.6, respectively. Our findings represent new information about gizzard helminth infections in northern pintails wintering along the Texas coast.

Nematodes in the mallard (Anas platyrhynchos Linnaeus, 1758) and the common goldeneye (Bucephala clangula Linnaeus, 1758) (Anatidae) from Northern Europe.

There are first data on nematodes of Anas platyrhynchos Linnaeus, 1758 (mallard) and Bucephala clangula Linnaeus, 1758 (common goldeneye) from Northern Europe (Ladoga Lake region). The ducks were found to be infected with nine nematode species. A. platyrhynchos hosted eight nematode species and B. clangula was host to four nematode species. All species except Capillaria anatis were found in the region for the first time. Nematodes Amidostomum acutum, Streptocara crassicauda, and Tetrameres fissispina parasitized on both hosts and were the most abundant. The biggest number of parasites revealed was biohelminths with a direct life cycle.

Assessing Helminth Community Structure and Patterns in Gizzard Helminths of Blue-Winged Teal (Anas Discors)

Helminth community structure (prevalence and abundance) and patterns (associations and distributions) of gizzard worms were examined in blue-winged teal (Anas discors) migrating through south Texas to their wintering grounds (n = 50) and as they migrated back to their breeding grounds (n = 50). Three species of nematodes (Amidostomum acutum, Epomidiostomum uncinatum, and Streptocara crassicauda) and 1 species of cestode (Gastrotaenia cygni) were recovered, representing 1,164 helminth individuals. Amidostomum acutum was the most prevalent (92%) and abundant (817 individuals; 70% of total worms), while G. cygni was the least prevalent (16%) and abundant (23 individuals; 2%). Ninety-eight blue-winged teal were infected with 1 to 4 species. Amidostomum acutum and E. uncinatum were the most frequently (45%) observed association of 2 or more species, followed by A. acutum, E. uncinatum, and S. crassicauda (19%), and A. acutum and S. crassicauda (14%). Significant positive correlations were mainly between A. acutum and E. uncinatum, whereas negative correlations were found between each of these 2 species and S. crassicauda. Prevalence and abundance of A. acutum and S. crassicauda were not influenced by season, host age, or host sex. However, E. uncinatum varied by season and host age. The percent similarity index indicated a relatively consistent component community pattern of high similarity irrespective of season, host age, and sex. The same helminth species were found in both fall and spring, indicating that other helminth species were not being acquired on the wintering grounds.

Parasitic nematodes of anseriform birds in Hokkaido, Japan

Abstract Parasitic nematodes of 176 individuals of 15 bird species belonging to the order Anseriformes from Hokkaido, Japan were investigated. A total of 12 nematode species were obtained, namely Amidostomum anseris, A. acutum, Epomidiostomum crami, E. uncinatum, Tetrameres fissispina, Eucoleus contortus, Capillaria anatis, Baruscapillaria mergi, Contracaecum rudolphii, Echinuria uncinata, Streptocara crassicauda and Sarconema eurycerca. Among these, E. uncinatum (hosts: Anas platyrhynchos, A. poecilorhyncha, A. acuta, Mel. nigra) and E. crami (hosts: Anser albifroms, Ans. fabalis, C. cygnus, C. columbianus) were the first geographical records in Japan. There appeared to be strict host-parasite relationships between the wild swans/geese and A. anseris/E. crami, and between wild duck species and A. acutum/E. uncinatum, respectively.

Streptocara longispiculata Gibson 1968, (Nematoda: Acuariidae) from Gavia immer and Gavia stellata from North America: Redescription and Taxonomic Position

Abstract Streptocara crassicauda longispiculata Gibson 1968 (Nematoda: Acuariidae) is redescribed and raised to a full species, Streptocara longispiculata Gibson, 1968, on the basis of material from the common loon, Gavia immer, from Florida, U.S.A., and the red-throated loon, Gavia stellata, from Canada.

Parasite fauna of ide, Leuciscus idus (L.) in Lake Dąbie, Poland

Background. The previous survey on parasites of ide in Poland was carried out in 1987 and there has been no data available on the parasites of this fish from areas in Poland west of the Vistula River. The aim of the present study was to survey the parasite fauna of ide, Leuciscus idus in Lake Dąbie and to compare theMaterials and methods. Standard parasitological procedures were applied to 110 individuals of ide, Leuciscus idus (L.) caught within 2000-2003 in Lake Dąbie, Szczecin, Poland. Results. All fish examined were infected with parasites. The parasites recovered, represented 32 species and 11 higher taxa (Oligohymenophorea, Myxosporea, Monogenea, Digenea, Nematoda, Palaeacanthocephala, Euacanthocephala, Hirudinea, Copepoda, Branchiura, and Bivalvia). A total of 15 parasite species represented new host records for ide in Poland (Dermocystidium sp. , Myxidium pfeifferi, Zschokella nova, Myxobolus carassii, M. muelleri, Henneguya cutanea, Tripartiella copisa, Paradiplozoon bliccae, Gyrodactylus prostae, Anisakis simplex, Streptocara crassicauda, Philometra rischta, Argulus foliaceus, Piscicola geometra, Hemiclepsis marginata). The highest values of prevalence were recorded for: Ergasilus sieboldi, Diplostomum spp., Tylodephys clavata, and Paracoenogonimus ovatus.Results. with the relevant data on the subject published by other authors. Conclusion. Infection parameters of the presently surveyed ide were distinctly different from those previously described. It is possible that populations of some parasites grew within the past 20 years.

Susceptibility of blue-winged teal, gadwall, and lesser scaup ducklings to experimental infection with Streptocara crassicauda

Blue-winged teal, gadwall, and lesser scaup ducklings were exposed experimentally to identical doses of Streptocara crassicauda larvae. The heaviest infections developed in the teal. Gadwall were also highly susceptible and infection levels were generally similar to those in teal. Lesser scaup developed comparatively light infections. Lesions were restricted to the gizzard and occurred in the softer areas of the lining under the tendinous surfaces. Nematodes were generally confined to the lesions in scaup, but not in teal or gadwall. In these two species, they were also found elsewhere under the softer portions of the lining and, to a lesser extent, under the grinding plates. Teal and gadwall developed more and larger lesions because of the greater number of nematodes that established. When corrected for worm number, no difference in lesion size was found among the three species.

Hyalella azteca (Amphipoda) as an intermediate host of the nematode Streptocara crassicauda

The life cycle of Streptocara crassicauda (Creplin, 1829) was studied experimentally in the amphipod Hyalella azteca (Saussure). Of 2946 H. azteca that survived exposure, 699 were infected. Developing larval stages were found almost exclusively in the cephalic haemocoel. At 18–20 °C, moulting first-stage larvae were observed initially on day 11 and moulting second-stage larvae on day 15 post infection. The moult was not synchronous and moulting stages were found for several days after the initial observation. Third-stage larvae were found as early as day 19 post infection. The larval stages found in H. azteca are described. Mature females containing larvated eggs were recovered from domestic ducks (Anas platyrhynchos dom.) 9–21 days post exposure, and eggs were found in fecal samples on day 26. None of the females recovered from ducks 42 days post infection contained larvated eggs.

Helminth parasites of the digestive tract of the oystercatcher, Haematopus ostralegus, in the Wadden Sea, The Netherlands

The digestive tracts of 90 oystercatchers (equal numbers of males and females and of juveniles, subadults and adults) wintering in the Dutch Wadden Sea were examined for helminth parasites. The nematodes Capillaria sp. (36.7%) and Streptocara crassicauda (7.8%) were found in the stomach. Unidentified cestodes (76.7%) and the trematodes Psilostomum brevicolle (42.2%), Notocotylus sp. (81.1%), and unidentified gymnophallids (100%) were found in the intestine and caeca. Two birds were infected with Gymnophallidae only, while all other birds contained additional helminth species. Compared with subadult and adult birds, the juveniles had significantly more infections with Capillaria sp. and cestodes. Moreover, the juveniles were infected with a greater variety of species. No further relation was found between the presence of helminths or worm numbers and age groups or sexes of birds.

An analysis of gizzard worm infections in fall migrant ducks at Delta, Manitoba, Canada

Gizzards from 13 species of ducks collected during the 1979 hunting season at Delta, Manitoba, Canada, were examined for helminths. Of the 1196 gizzards examined, 77.7% harbored at least one species of helminth. Amidostomum acutum occurred in 53.3% of the gizzards (13 species); Epomidiostomum uncinatum, in 28.5% (10 species); Streptocara crassicauda, in 18.1% (12 species); Gastrotaenia cygni, in 17.8% (11 species); and Streptocara formosensis, in 3.7% (5 species). Infection levels in juveniles and adults and in males and females of the same age in each species were generally similar. Prevalence and abundance of A. acutum in dabbling ducks (Anas spp.) was greatest among species exhibiting intermediate or generalist foraging tactics. Redheads and canvasbacks had the heaviest infections among diving species. The intermediate and generalist Anas species also had the greatest prevalence and abundance of E. uncinatum. With the exception of ruddy ducks, divers were rarely infected with this helminth. Lesser scaup were the major hosts for the Streptocara species and prevalence in other hosts tended to reflect the importance of amphipods in the diet. Shovelers, which feed extensively on zooplankton, had the highest prevalence of G. cygni. Few significant differences were found in the mean intensity of each helminth among host species despite wide differences in prevalence. Thus while diet and (or) foraging strategy may affect a species' contact with the infective pool, it apparently has little effect on the size of the infection which results.

On the occurrence of oesophageal worms, Streptocara crassicauda, in ornamental ducks in Hampshire.

Deaths due to infection with Streptocara crassicauda (Creplin, 1829) occurred in three ornamental flocks of water fowl in Hampshire. On two occasions larvae of the worm were found in Gammarus sp. in the running water to which the flocks had access. Lesions were almost entirely in the oesophagus and pharynx, and death was usually due to necrosis, and consequent impaction, of the oesophagus It appears that the worm is capable of establishing itself in southern England.

Nematodes from Australian waders

Records are given of helminth infection found by the dissection of 122 waders belonging to 19 species, some migratory and some resident in Australia. In the examination of the nematodes from these, and some other hosts, the following species were identified and described: Capillaria triloba (Linst.) (Lobibyx novae-hollandiae, Himantopus leucocephalus, Recurvirostra novaehollandiae); Capillaria recurvirostrae sp.nov. (R. novaehollandiae); Amidostomum chevreuxi Seurat (H. leucocephalus); Porrocaecum lobibycis (L. novaehollandiae); Contracaecum spiculigerum (Rud.) (H. leucocephalus); Schistorophus longicornis (Hemp. & Ehr.), and Sciadiocara umbellifera (Molin) (Calidris canutus); Schistorophus limosae sp.nov. and Viktorocara limosae sp.nov. (Limosa lapponica); Viktorocara sp. (Calidris canutus); Echinuria heterobrachiata Wehr (Cladorhynchus leucocephalus, Charadrius alexandrinus, Erolia ruficollis); Chevreuxia australis Johnston & Mawson (Charadrius melanops); Skrjabinoclava horrida (Rud.) (Charadrius rubricollis, C. alexandrinus); Streptocara crassicauda (Creplin) (Ch. alexandrinus); Stello-caronema charadrii sp.nov. (Ch. cucullata); S. glareolae sp.nov. (Glareola isabella); Tetrameres nouveli (Seurat) (Him. leucocephalus, Ch. alexandrinus, Recurvirostra novaehollandiae); T. cladorhynchi sp.nov. (C. leucocephalus); T. calidris sp.nov. (C. canutus); T. lobibycis sp.nov. (L. novaehollandiae); T. scolopacidis sp.nov. (Erolia acuminata, E. ruficollis, Tringa glareola); Pseudaproctella sp. (Lobibyx miles).I am particularly indebted to the Director, Dr Peter Crowcroft, and the staff of the South Australian Museum; without their help it would have been impossible to obtain many of the parasites. Some birds were presented by Mrs Joan Paton and some by Mr Max Waterman. Specimens from Limosa lapponica were lent by the School of Public Health and Tropical Medicine in Sydney, from Lobibyx novaehollandiae (from Queensland) by Dr John Pearson of the Department of Parasitology of the University of Queensland, and from Lobibyx miles from Dr M. J. Mackerras of the C.S.I.R.O., Division of Entomology, in Canberra. Mr Condon, Curator of Birds in the South Australian Museum, has helped with information on the habits and correct names of the birds, and my colleague, Dr S. J. Edmonds, with names of new species. I also wish to thank Dr W. G. Inglis of the British Museum (Nat. Hist.) who was good enough to read the paper.The holotype and paratypes of Viktorocara limosae sp.nov. and Schistorophus limosae sp.nov. are in the School of Public Health and Tropical Medicine in Sydney. Other holotypes are in the South Australian Museum, and paratypes in the Helminthological Collection of the Zoology Department of the University of Adelaide.

ON THE NEMATODE PARASITE (<i>STREPTOCARA CRASSICAUDA</i>) IN THE GIZZARD OF FORMOSAN DOMESTIC DUCK

This species is found very commonly in the gizzard of Formosan domestic duck.In shape it closly resembles Streptocara crassicauda (CREPLIN, 1829), as stated by SKRJABIN (1916). For this reason, I think that my species will be the same to Streptocara crassicauda.The body of the worm is long, white, and filiform; the head with two simple lateral lips, each bearing a dentiform process and two small lateral papillae; behind the lips is a collarette with an dentate anterior margin: the cervical papillae are represented by large crescentic structure with five or six (rarely three) small teeth on the posterior concave face; behind the buccal cavity is a short vestibule with delicate walls; oesophagus long and cylindrical, devided into two portions.Male: smaller than the female, 6.5-7mm. long and 0.17mm. thick at the middle of the body; posterior extremity conical, blunt, and spirally coiled once; caudal alae present, 0.255mm. long and 0.05mm. thick; four pairs of costiform preanal and five pairs of costiform postanal papillae; spicules very unequal, -left spicule, filiform, 0.238mm. long and 0.007mm. thick; right spicule, boatshaped, short but wider, 0.085mm. long and 0.034mm. thick.Female: 14-18mm. long and 0.238-0.289mm. thick; posterior extremity rounded: anus subterminal; vulva a little behind the middle of the body.Mature eggs small, elliptical, with a thin shell, 0.039mm. by 0.0195mm. in size, containing an embryo at deposition.Host: Anas domestica L., Cairina moschata L., Bastard of duck (Anas domestica) and musk duck (Cairina moschata).Location: musculature of gizzard.