Endoparasites in Family Caprimulgidae Birds from Southeastern Florida (USA)
Abstract
The Caprimulgidae are nocturnal birds that mainly prey on insects, which serve as intermediate hosts to several terrestrial parasite life cycles. Information on parasitism in this family remains scarce, and endoparasite community composition and structure have never fully been surveyed. To address this knowledge gap, 68 caprimulgid birds from southeastern Florida (USA) were examined for endoparasites, including Chuck Will’s Widow (Antrostomus carolinensis, n = 44), Eastern Whip-Poor-Will (A. vociferus, n = 5), Common Nighthawk (Chordeiles minor, n = 16), and Lesser Nighthawk (C. acutipennis, n = 1). Frozen post-mortem at collaborating wildlife rescue centers, individuals were thawed and examined for parasites in the gastrointestinal tract. The esophagus, proventriculus, intestines, and cloaca were dissected, with the proventriculus and intestine contents further examined in washes. Parasites were stained and mounted prior to identification using standard taxonomic keys. Caprimugids hosted a diverse community of endoparasites including members of Digenea, Cestoda, and Nematoda. Community composition varied among host species; Common Nighthawk were infected with mainly cestodes, Chuck-Will’s-Widow communities were largely dominated by cestodes and nematodes, whereas Eastern Whip-Poor-Wills hosted more digeneans. Infection rates varied among hosts as well with Common Nighthawks having the highest infection rate at 63%. Eastern Whip-PoorWills have a 40% infection rate. These results may provide insight on the differing feeding ecologies and trophic dynamics of caprimulgids in South Florida.
Faculty Sponsors
Dr. David W. Kerstetter, Dr. Christopher Blanar
Project Type
Event
Location
Alvin Sherman Library
Start Date
4-5-2023 12:00 PM
End Date
4-6-2023 4:00 PM
Endoparasites in Family Caprimulgidae Birds from Southeastern Florida (USA)
Alvin Sherman Library
The Caprimulgidae are nocturnal birds that mainly prey on insects, which serve as intermediate hosts to several terrestrial parasite life cycles. Information on parasitism in this family remains scarce, and endoparasite community composition and structure have never fully been surveyed. To address this knowledge gap, 68 caprimulgid birds from southeastern Florida (USA) were examined for endoparasites, including Chuck Will’s Widow (Antrostomus carolinensis, n = 44), Eastern Whip-Poor-Will (A. vociferus, n = 5), Common Nighthawk (Chordeiles minor, n = 16), and Lesser Nighthawk (C. acutipennis, n = 1). Frozen post-mortem at collaborating wildlife rescue centers, individuals were thawed and examined for parasites in the gastrointestinal tract. The esophagus, proventriculus, intestines, and cloaca were dissected, with the proventriculus and intestine contents further examined in washes. Parasites were stained and mounted prior to identification using standard taxonomic keys. Caprimugids hosted a diverse community of endoparasites including members of Digenea, Cestoda, and Nematoda. Community composition varied among host species; Common Nighthawk were infected with mainly cestodes, Chuck-Will’s-Widow communities were largely dominated by cestodes and nematodes, whereas Eastern Whip-Poor-Wills hosted more digeneans. Infection rates varied among hosts as well with Common Nighthawks having the highest infection rate at 63%. Eastern Whip-PoorWills have a 40% infection rate. These results may provide insight on the differing feeding ecologies and trophic dynamics of caprimulgids in South Florida.
