Serologic and Parasitologic Survey of the Endangered Attwater's Prairie Chicken

Abstract

Because conservation biologists have postulated that infectious diseases may have potentiated the endangerment of the Attwater's prairie chicken (Tympanuchus cupido attwateri), free-living prairie chickens were surveyed from all remaining populations for helminthic endoparasites and antibody against the etiological agents of nine infectious diseases. Samples from 4 of 27 adult males were positive for anti-Pasteurella multocida antibody. All other serologic tests were negative (n = 19). We identified Dispharynx nasuta, a parasite previously associated with disease in other grouse from North America, in one of three adult Attwater's prairie chickens examined. Evidence of Trichostrongylus cramae was found for eight of nine suitable samples, which represents the first report of this parasite in prairie grouse. The mean intensity of T. cramae in Attwater's prairie chicken was 1,019.3 (Range = 3-1,906; n = 3). Further work is needed to determine whether P. multocida, T. cramae, or D. nasuta are detrimental to Attwater's prairie chicken populations. If so, conservation biologists could reduce the prevalence and incidence of these parasites and potentially gain more time to address the habitat conditions thought to be the ultimate cause of population declines.

Two Eimeria Species Isolated from Wild Japanese Rock Ptarmigans (Lagopus mutus japonicus) in Japan

“…Parasite infection is one of the factors influencing population fluctuations of wild mammals and avians [1,3,8], and it should be noted that gastrointestinal parasites affect the red grouse (L. lagopus scoticus) population in Britain [2,5]. However, there are only a few studies on parasitic infections in the Japanese rock ptarmigan; including reports on blood parasites [4] and one of the intestinal coccidian parasites, Eimeria uekii, which was reported in 1981 [6].…”

Wild Birds, a Source of Reticuloendotheliosis Virus Infection for the Endangered Attwater's Prairie-Chicken (Tympanuchus cupido attwateri)?

“…How easily avian cholera can be transmitted from waterfowl to other species, including prairie-chickens is not known . Peterson et al (1998) found T. cramae in eight of nine suitable samples from APC, representing the first report of this parasite in prairie grouse. Infected individuals, which came from all three remaining APC populations, had T. cramae infection intensities averaging 1,019.3, similar to that seen for T. tenuis in red grouse (Lagopus lagopus scoticus) .…”

“…Peterson (2004) also indicated Histomonas meleagridis (causative agent for blackhead), Pasteurella multocida (causative agent for avian cholera), E. dispersa, E. angusta, and other microparasites which result in high mortality have the potential to extirpate small, isolated prairie grouse populations. Peterson et al (1998) observed 4 of 27 (14.8%) APCs sampled were serologically positive for P. multocida antibodies. These four birds came from two of three remaining APC populations.…”

“…Purvis et al (1998) found T. cramae in 97% of northern bobwhites collected from APCNWR. Peterson et al (1998), Purvis et al (1998), andPeterson (2004) all stressed the importance of determining whether T. cramae limits or regulates APC populations. Peterson et al (1998) also found that one of three APC samples contained D. nasuta.…”

“…Peterson et al (1998), Purvis et al (1998), andPeterson (2004) all stressed the importance of determining whether T. cramae limits or regulates APC populations. Peterson et al (1998) also found that one of three APC samples contained D. nasuta. They hypothesized that because D. nasuta is particularly pathogenic for chicks of other grouse species, its presence in APC populations could explain the low number of juvenile APCs surviving per brood as compared to GPCs (Peterson and Silvy 1996).…”