Baylisascaris procyonis is a nematode whose definitive host is the raccoon ( Procyon lotor ). Adult parasites are not particularly pathogenic to raccoons; however, larvae in intermediate hosts can cause visceral, ocular, and neural larva migrans. Humans serve as dead-end hosts, and pathological responses are similar to those found in infected intermediate hosts. Infected raccoons expose intermediate hosts through their feces, which can contain millions of B. procyonis eggs. Our objective was to determine how the quantity and viability of B. procyonis eggs in soil changed over time within different soil texture, moisture, and sun exposure. To examine egg survival and movement through soil we placed 100 B. procyonis eggs on 100 squares in 48 boxes representing a full factorial treatment of soil texture, moisture, and sun level. We monitored egg percolation and survival for 2 yr, removing (at 0, 1, 3, 6, 12, 18, and 24 mo) 5 squares from each box and counting the number of viable eggs at each depth in the soil column. Dry soils were mainly impermeable; even after 2 yr, >60% of B. procyonis eggs remained on the surface of all soil textures. Wet soils were more permeable than dry soils, but even in wet sandy soils where the greatest egg movement occurred, it required 1 yr before 60% of eggs transitioned from the soil surface to the next soil depth. For all soil textures, moistures, sun exposures, and depths, >92% of B. procyonis eggs remained viable after 2 yr in the southern Texas environment. Therefore, high exposure risk exists for potential hosts because B. procyonis eggs remain viable on or near the soil surface for at least 2 yr.

The effects of Oxyspirura petrowi infections in northern bobwhites ( Colinus virginianus ) are not well understood. While studies have reported O. petrowi infections, none has histopathologically examined the eye surface and intraorbital glands to assess cellular-level impacts associated with infection. This study is the first to document the histopathology associated with O. petrowi infections. Oxyspirura petrowi occurred on the eye surface as well as in the conjunctiva, lacrimal ducts, lacrimal glands, and Harderian glands. Histopathology showed infections of O. petrowi caused cellular damage to these tissues, scarring and interstitial keratitis of the cornea, and acinar atrophy of the Harderian gland.

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.

abstract The helminth community composition and structure of 6 species of columbids residing in south Texas are reported and compared herein. Sixty individuals of the following species, rock pigeons ( Columba livia [RP]), mourning doves ( Zenaida macroura [MD]), Eurasian collared-doves ( Streptopelia decaocto [ECD]), white-winged doves ( Zenaida asiatica [WWD]), and common ground doves ( Columbina passerina [CGD]), and 48 Inca doves ( Columbina inca [ID]) were collected during the summer of 2006 and examined for helminths. Twelve helminth species were found (9 nematodes and 3 cestodes), representing 486 individuals. Nematodes numerically dominated the component community in all host species. Overall, helminth prevalence was similar among host sex within all dove species. However, prevalence of Skrjabinia bonini and Hymenolepis sp. in RPs was significantly different among host age groups ( P = 0.01, P = 0.0002, respectively). Likewise, prevalence of Killigrewia delafondi was higher ( P = 0.0001) in adult WWDs. Based on percent similarity and Jaccard's coefficient of community indices, helminth component communities were dissimilar, and the number of shared helminth species varied among host species. Data from this study suggest that the environment surrounding preferred host habitat and foraging strategies of each host species is the driving force behind helminth component communities. This study emphasizes the importance of examining co-occurring hosts at both local and regional scales to elucidate helminth community structure and patterns.

A survey of turkey vultures ( Cathartes aura ) in South Carolina revealed the presence of a novel haemoproteid. Haemoproteus catharti n. sp. is described from the slides developed from the blood of this vulture. The new species is a thick, halteridial form with complete margins, and is considered distinct from the other recognized haemoproteids from the diurnal raptors in shape, pigment number, parasite outline, and host-family specificity. While reviewing blood films, a series of unusual immature schizonts of Plasmodium sp. were also observed, and these are illustrated, along with another distinct haemoproteid from old slides of poor quality produced from turkey vulture blood.

Wood storks ( Mycteria americana ) are endangered throughout their breeding range in the United States. Because of this, researchers have had little opportunity to thoroughly examine the continental wood stork population for endoparasites. The blood protozoan Haemoproteus crumenium has been identified from several populations of wood storks in North America. However, there have been no reports of wood storks being infected with species of Plasmodium or Leucocytozoon . During 2003, 42 nestling wood storks were captured at sites in Georgia and 27 free-ranging wood storks were captured at postbreeding dispersal sites in Mississippi and Louisiana. Two thin blood smears were made from each bird, and they were examined for parasites. Haemoproteus crumenium was found in 5 wood storks (7.2%), whereas Leucocytozoon sp., Plasmodium sp., and microfilariae were not observed. Mean intensity of H. crumenium was 4.4 ± 0.7 (SE) per 2,000 erythrocytes counted. All infected wood storks were subadult or adult and were from postbreeding dispersal sites in Mississippi.

Forty-eight scaled quail ( Callipepla squamata ) were collected during August 2002 at Elephant Mountain Wildlife Management Area in Brewster County, Texas, and examined for helminths. Eight species of helminths were found (5 nematodes and 3 cestodes), representing 2,811 individuals. Of these species, Gongylonema sp., Procyrnea pileata , and Choanotaenia infundibulum are reported from scaled quail for the first time. Prevalence of Aulonocephalus pennula , Gongylonema sp., Oxyspirura petrowi , Physaloptera sp., P. pileata , C. infundibulum , Fuhrmannetta sp., and Rhabdometra odiosa was 98, 2, 56, 4, 60, 2, 25, and 35%, respectively. Aulonocephalus pennula numerically dominated, accounting for 88% of total worms. Statistical analyses were performed on the 5 species with ≥25% prevalence using the after-hatch-year host sample (n = 38). Prevalence of P. pileata was higher ( P = 0.049) in females than in males and higher ( P = 0.037) in the sample collected from the site that had spreader dams (berms 1–2 m high and 4–55 m long constructed in varying sizes to catch and retain rainfall) than the control site (no spreader dams). Higher rank mean abundance of A. pennula and O. petrowi ( P = 0.0001 and P = 0.0052, respectively) was found in the host sample collected from the site that had spreader dams than the control site. A host gender-by-collection site interaction ( P = 0.0215) was observed for P. pileata . Findings indicate that scaled quail are acquiring indirect life cycle helminths in arid western Texas habitats.

The haemoproteid community of 171 eastern white-winged doves ( Zenaida asiatica asiatica ) from the expanding Texas population was examined using thin blood smears. During summer 1997, heart blood was taken from doves within their historical breeding range (Lower Rio Grande Valley of Texas), an intermediate region (San Antonio and surrounding area), and the new breeding periphery (north central to southeast Texas). Two species were found: Haemoproteus columbae and Haemoproteus sacharovi . Infracommunities rarely occurred in heart blood, as only 20 of 132 infected doves demonstrated gametocytes of both species. Overall prevalence of H. columbae and H. sacharovi was 77 and 15%, respectively. Prevalence of H. columbae was higher in the Lower Rio Grande Valley (LRGV) and intermediate regions than at the periphery, higher in adults than juveniles, and similar between males and females. Prevalence of H. sacharovi was lower in the LRGV than intermediate and peripheral regions, similar between juveniles and adults, and higher in females than males. Mean density of H. columbae and H. sacharovi was 15.9 ± 2.7 and 0.3 ± 0.1 (mean ± SE per 3,000 erythrocytes), respectively. Overall mean abundance of H. columbae and H. sacharovi was 12.2 ± 2.2 and 0.04 ± 0.02, respectively. Mean abundance of H. columbae was higher in the LRGV and intermediate regions than at the periphery and was similar between host age and between host sex; H. sacharovi was similar among regions, host age, and host sex. This study emphasizes the importance of using prevalence, density, and abundance data to assess haemoproteid community structure and pattern.