Health impacts of gastrointestinal and ocular parasites in northern bobwhite (Colinus virginianus) in western Oklahoma, USA

Seth T Wyckoff; Tell Judkins; Nicole M Nemeth; Mark G Ruder; James A Martin; Michael J Yabsley

doi:10.1016/j.vprsr.2023.100936

Health impacts of gastrointestinal and ocular parasites in northern bobwhite (Colinus virginianus) in western Oklahoma, USA

Vet Parasitol Reg Stud Reports. 2023 Nov:46:100936. doi: 10.1016/j.vprsr.2023.100936. Epub 2023 Oct 5.

Authors

Seth T Wyckoff¹, Tell Judkins², Nicole M Nemeth³, Mark G Ruder⁴, James A Martin⁵, Michael J Yabsley⁶

Affiliations

¹ Southeastern Cooperative Wildlife Disease Study, Department of Population Health, College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Georgia, Athens, GA, USA; Warnell School of Forestry and Natural Resources, University of Georgia, Athens, GA, USA.
² Oklahoma Department of Wildlife Conservation, Oklahoma City, OK, USA.
³ Southeastern Cooperative Wildlife Disease Study, Department of Population Health, College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Georgia, Athens, GA, USA; Department of Pathology, College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Georgia, Athens, GA, USA.
⁴ Southeastern Cooperative Wildlife Disease Study, Department of Population Health, College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Georgia, Athens, GA, USA.
⁵ Warnell School of Forestry and Natural Resources, University of Georgia, Athens, GA, USA.
⁶ Southeastern Cooperative Wildlife Disease Study, Department of Population Health, College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Georgia, Athens, GA, USA; Warnell School of Forestry and Natural Resources, University of Georgia, Athens, GA, USA; Center for the Ecology of Infectious Diseases, Odum School of Ecology, University of Georgia, Athens, GA, USA. Electronic address: myabsley@uga.edu.

PMID: 37935543
DOI: 10.1016/j.vprsr.2023.100936

Abstract

The northern bobwhite (Colinus virginianus) is a popular upland game bird that is suffering from severe and ongoing population decline. In this study, we investigated the potential health impacts of gastrointestinal and periorbital parasites in bobwhite in western Oklahoma, USA. A sample of 206 bobwhites from 2018 to 2020 indicated a low prevalence and diversity of parasites. However, at least one gastrointestinal or ocular parasite species was detected in 112 bobwhite (54.4%). A total of three gastrointestinal parasite species were detected, including Aulonocephalus pennula (54% prevalence, mean intensity 71.6 ± 99.8), Raillietina spp. (7%, 4.2 ± 1.9), and a single immature Mediorhynchus sp. acanthocephalan (0.5%). Burdens of A. pennula infections were negatively associated with fat stores in their bobwhite host. Low intensities (range 1-10, mean 3.9 ± 2.9) of eyeworms (Oxyspirura petrowi) were observed in 12.6% (26/206) of bobwhite sampled and were not associated with fat stores. No significant histologic lesions were associated with O. petrowi worms in ocular and surrounding tissues of 68 quail eyes examined, of which 26 (38%) were positive for eyeworms. Overall, the prevalence and intensity of parasites in bobwhite in Oklahoma were lower than in previous studies in Texas in similar physiographic regions. However, continued studies on the impacts of these parasites on quail health are needed as environmental and climate changes could alter the ecology and significance of these parasites.

Keywords: Galliformes; gamebirds; parasites; population decline; survey; wildlife.

Publication types

Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
Research Support, U.S. Gov't, Non-P.H.S.

MeSH terms

Animals
Ascaridida*
Colinus* / parasitology
Oklahoma / epidemiology
Parasites*
Thelazioidea*