Helminth Infections Across a Northern Bobwhite (<i>Colinus virginianus</i>) Annual Cycle in Fisher County, Texas

Villarreal, Stacie M.; Bruno, Andrea; Fedynich, Alan M.; Brennan, Leonard A.; Rollins, Dale

doi:10.3398/064.076.0303

Cited by 18 publications

(36 citation statements)

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“…However, the Rolling Plains ecoregion appears to harbor the greatest intensities of caecal worms, often 3 times higher than other studies on bobwhites in Texas (Jackson, 1969, Rollins, 1980, Lehmann, 1984, Bruno, 2014, Villarreal et al., 2012). Hudson (1986) was one of the first studies to suggest that a caecal worm, Trichostrongylus tenuis, has the ability to regulate populations of red grouse ( Lagopus lagopus scoticus ).…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 68%

“…Rollins (1980) speculated that caecal digestion was especially important when the bobwhite's diet consisted of high-cellulose foods (e.g., during late-winter when seeds of Russian thistle [ Salsola kali ] were most common in a bobwhite's diet in the Rolling Plains). Recent studies by Villarreal et al., 2012, Bruno, 2014, Dunham et al., 2016a found A. pennula to be highly prevalent. Observations were not reported on any gross pathology associated with infection.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Caecal worm, Aulonocephalus pennula , infection in the northern bobwhite quail, Colinus virginianus

Dunham

Henry

Brym

et al. 2017

International Journal for Parasitology: Parasites and Wildlife

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Parasitic nematodes that infect quail have been understudied and long been dismissed as a problem in quail management. Within the Rolling Plains ecoregion of Texas, an area that has experienced quail population “boom and bust” cycles and ultimately a general decline, the need to determine why Northern bobwhite (Colinus virginianus) populations are diminishing has increased in priority. Previously, caecal parasites have been documented to cause inactivity, weight loss, reduced growth, inflammation to the caecal mucosa, and even death. The caecal worm Aulonocephalus pennula is an intestinal nematode parasite that is commonly found within the caecum of quail, as well as many other avian species. In the Rolling Plains ecoregion, A. pennula has been documented to have as high as a 98% prevalence in bobwhite quail samples; however, the effect it has on its host is not well understood. The present study documents A. pennula causes no pathological changes within the caeca of the Northern bobwhite. However, there is concern for disruption of digestion and the possible implications of infection for wild bobwhite quail survival are discussed.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 68%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Caecal worm, Aulonocephalus pennula , infection in the northern bobwhite quail, Colinus virginianus

Dunham

Henry

Brym

et al. 2017

International Journal for Parasitology: Parasites and Wildlife

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“…Recent bobwhite helminth surveys were completed in Texas to document helminth infections and assess potential pathogenic effects. Villarreal () examined 142 bobwhites collected from 2 ranches in the Rolling Plains region of Texas during 2010–2011 for helminths. Seven helminths were documented; the cecal nematode Aulonocephalus pennula was most common, followed by the eyeworm Oxyspirura petrowi and proventricular worm Tetrameres pattersoni (Table ; Villarreal ).…”

Section: Recent Research On Helminth Parasitism In Bobwhitesmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Villarreal () examined 142 bobwhites collected from 2 ranches in the Rolling Plains region of Texas during 2010–2011 for helminths. Seven helminths were documented; the cecal nematode Aulonocephalus pennula was most common, followed by the eyeworm Oxyspirura petrowi and proventricular worm Tetrameres pattersoni (Table ; Villarreal ). Bruno () expanded the geographic scope to 31 collection sites in the Rolling Plains during 2011–2013 and examined trapped ( n = 161) and hunter‐shot ( n = 128) bobwhites.…”

Section: Recent Research On Helminth Parasitism In Bobwhitesmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…These same species were the most common helminths in the hunter‐shot sample as well. Olsen () conducted a helminth survey similar to those by Villarreal () and Bruno () of hunter‐shot bobwhites across 16 counties in South Texas. Two hundred and nine hunter‐shot bobwhites and an additional 35 bobwhite heads were collected during 2012–2014.…”

Section: Recent Research On Helminth Parasitism In Bobwhitesmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Helminths and the northern bobwhite population decline: A review

2016

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Long-term data from the Breeding Bird Survey and Christmas Bird Count indicate that northern bobwhite (Colinus virginianus; hereafter, bobwhite) populations have declined since 1961 in all but 1 of the 31 states they occupy within the United States. This long-term population decline is largely due to habitat loss. However, several other factors, including parasitism, have been considered as possible contributors or even primary causes of the bobwhite population decline. We review recent research on the helminths that infect bobwhites, particularly in Texas, and compare the bobwhite-helminth system to other galliform-helminth systems. We hypothesize that helminths do not affect bobwhite populations under favorable habitat conditions and that any observed localized population impacts may be proximate causes of the bobwhite population decline rather than ultimate causes of the bobwhite population decline. Helminth survey data provide insufficient evidence of negative effects on individual bobwhites or on their populations. Although surveys provide important data and should continue, experimental studies are the best way to identify the impact that helminths may have on bobwhites at the population level. Ó 2016 The Wildlife Society.

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Gastrointestinal nematodes in two galliform birds from South Africa: patterns associated with host sex and age

et al. 2021

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Parasite ecology has recently focused on elucidating patterns and processes that shape helminth communities in avian hosts. However, helminths parasitizing gamebirds are still poorly understood. Here we describe the gastrointestinal nematode fauna of Swainson's spurfowl, Pternistis swainsonii (Phasianidae) and helmeted guineafowl, Numida meleagris (Numididae), collected at three and four localities, respectively, in South Africa and analyze the prevalence, mean abundance and diversity of their helminth communities. Eleven nematode species were collected from spurfowl, which had a mean number of nematode species per host of 3.01 ± 0.18, whereas guineafowl harboured 15 nematode species, with a mean number of nematode species per host of 3.93 ± 0.12. Focusing on the most prevalent species, we also asked if host sex and/or age were associated with infracommunity structure with regard to nematode counts and species richness, as well as the species and taxonomic composition of infracommunities. While pooling data of nematode species masked the influence of host characteristics on helminth communities, analysis of individual nematode species revealed a number of patterns. In particular, adult female bias was seen in Tetrameres swainsonii in spurfowl and in Allodapa dentigera and Gongylonema congolense in guineafowl; Acuaria gruveli reached higher numbers in adult spurfowl than in juveniles, and helminth infracommunities in juvenile male guineafowl were more species rich than those in adult males. Combined, our results suggest that helminth communities of spurfowl and guineafowl are associated with a complex interplay of numerous factors, including host characteristics, parasite traits and environmental conditions.

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Helminth Infections Across a Northern Bobwhite (Colinus virginianus) Annual Cycle in Fisher County, Texas

Cited by 18 publications

References 10 publications

Caecal worm, Aulonocephalus pennula , infection in the northern bobwhite quail, Colinus virginianus

Caecal worm, Aulonocephalus pennula , infection in the northern bobwhite quail, Colinus virginianus

Helminths and the northern bobwhite population decline: A review

Gastrointestinal nematodes in two galliform birds from South Africa: patterns associated with host sex and age

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