Circumvitellatrema momota n. gen., n. sp. (Digenea: Cyclocoelidae: Cyclocoelinae) from a captive-hatched blue-crowned motmot, Momotus momota (Momotidae)

Abstract

Circumvitellatrema momota n. gen., n. sp. was found in the air sacs of a captive-hatched blue-crowned motmot, Momotus momota (Momotidae), that was being maintained in quarantine at the Animal Health Center of the Philadelphia Zoo in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, U.S.A. This bird apparently became infected at the Audubon Zoo, New Orleans, Louisiana, U.S.A. where it was maintained for several years prior to being sent to the Philadelphia Zoo. In the new genus, the ovary is intertesticular, forming a triangle with the testes and the genus is assigned to Cyclocoelinae. It can be distinguished from the other 3 genera currently assigned to this subfamily (Cyclocoelum, Psophiatrema, and Selfcoelum) by having the vitelline fields confluent at both the anterior and posterior ends of the body forming a continuous loop. This new species was likely introduced into the Audubon Zoo through the importation of species of exotic birds.

Death by massive air sac fluke (Trematoda: Bothriogaster variolaris) infection in a free-ranging snail kite (Rostrhamus sociabilis)

“…Our results suggest the Snail Kite likely died of suffocation due to bronchial obstruction by parasites and respiratory tissue lesions. Death from air sacs trematodiasis has usually been reported in captive passerine birds, and Passeriformes have been traditionally considered to have a greater risk of parasitosis than other bird clades ( Dronen et al, 2006a , 2009 ; Libert et al, 2012 ; Delaski et al, 2015 ; Galosi et al, 2019 ). However, our report coincides with Cole et al (1995) , who described a massive trematode infection as possible cause of death in two Snail Kites (a fledgling and a subadult) from Florida.…”

“…Death associated with infections of air sac trematodes has been described in several captive and wild species of birds ( Cole et al, 1995 ; Dronen et al, 2009 ; Libert et al, 2012 ; Delaski et al, 2015 ; Galosi et al, 2019 ). To the best of our knowledge, there is only one report of death by air sac trematodes in raptors, specifically in Snail Kites Rostrhamus sociabilis (Accipitridae) ( Cole et al, 1995 ).…”

Air sac trematodes: Morishitium polonicum as a newly identified cause of death in the common blackbird (Turdus merula)

“…Death often occurred after birds showing dyspnea due to physical bronchial obstruction and suffocation (Libert et al, 2012; Delaski et al, 2015). Several difficulties in the treatment and control of air sac trematode infections have been also reported (Dronen et al, 2009; Libert et al, 2012; Delaski et al, 2015). The life cycles of these trematodes, that include snail intermediate hosts and frequently including more than a single bird species as vertebrate definitive hosts in the life cycle of a single cyclocoelid trematode species, are considered important factors that in these facilities make the management and control of air sac trematode infections very difficult and a potentially significant problem (Dronen et al, 2006).…”

“…The life cycles of these trematodes, that include snail intermediate hosts and frequently including more than a single bird species as vertebrate definitive hosts in the life cycle of a single cyclocoelid trematode species, are considered important factors that in these facilities make the management and control of air sac trematode infections very difficult and a potentially significant problem (Dronen et al, 2006). Passeriformes are considered at greater risk of air sac trematode infections and lesions caused by these parasites than other birds (Dronen et al, 2006, 2009). Among captive Passeriformes, death associated with air sac trematodiasis caused by Szidatitrema species, have been reported in Irena puella (Latham, 1790) and Thraupis episcopus (Linnaeus, 1766) (Delaski et al, 2015).…”

“…Among captive Passeriformes, death associated with air sac trematodiasis caused by Szidatitrema species, have been reported in Irena puella (Latham, 1790) and Thraupis episcopus (Linnaeus, 1766) (Delaski et al, 2015). In other captive avian species, severe clinical signs and death have been reported in Lybius dubius (Gmelin, 1788) heavily infected with Szidatitrema yamagutii Dronen et al (2006) and, mainly, in Momotus momota (Linnaeus, 1766) infected with Circumvitellatrema momota Dronen et al (2009) (Dronen et al, 2009; Libert et al, 2012; Delaski et al, 2015).…”