Prevalence of a potentially lethal parasite of wading birds in natural and agricultural wetlands in south Louisiana

Southeastern Naturalist
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Abstract

Gambusia affinis (Western Mosquitofish) were sampled from 18 sites representing marsh, forested wetlands, and agricultural wetlands in south Louisiana to determine distribution and infection parameters of Eustrongylides ignotus, a potentially lethal nematode parasite of wading birds, (n = 400 per site). Overall, prevalence of infection was 0.3%, with significantly higher prevalence in agricultural wetlands than in marshes or swamps. Our findings are similar to work in Florida suggesting parasite prevalence is higher in disturbed wetlands, and suggest that birds foraging in crayfish ponds and rice fields may be at increased risk of exposure.
Publication type Article
Publication Subtype Journal Article
Title Prevalence of a potentially lethal parasite of wading birds in natural and agricultural wetlands in south Louisiana
Series title Southeastern Naturalist
DOI 10.1656/058.011.0305
Volume 11
Issue 3
Year Published 2012
Language English
Publisher Eagle Hill Institute
Publisher location Steuben, ME
Contributing office(s) National Wetlands Research Center
Description 8 p.
Larger Work Type Article
Larger Work Subtype Journal Article
Larger Work Title Southeastern Naturalist
First page 415
Last page 422
Country United States
State Louisiana
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