Endoparasites in Magnificent Frigatebirds (Fregata magnificens rothschildi) from Southeast Florida, USA

Endoparasites in Magnificent Frigatebirds (Fregata magnificens rothschildi) from Southeast Florida, USA

Alvin Sherman Library

The Magnificent Frigatebird (Fregata magnificens) is a pelagic seabird widely distributed across tropical and subtropical regions. Due to its wide-ranging foraging behavior and fish-based diet, these birds are susceptible to parasitic infections. However, little is known about the species' endoparasite communities. Despite its ecological importance, research on this species remained limited, particularly regarding the diversity and distribution of endoparasites. This study aims to investigate the endoparasite community in these birds. Specimens were collected from multiple rehabilitation centers from southeast Florida. A total of six individuals were examined (MAFR 2000, 3105, 3106, 3107, 3108, and 3109) for parasite presence across four internal regions. Identified parasites included nematodes, digeneans, strigieds, and cestodes. Nematodes were the most commonly observed parasite group across the examined body regions, followed by digeneans, which also exhibited high abundance. Cestodes were the least commonly observed among specimens. This study also reports a novel host record for a strigeid. These findings reveal a diverse parasite community, suggesting that the magnificent frigatebird is a host of multiple endoparasite taxa with varying distribution among individuals. This study not only contributes to a broader understanding of host-parasite dynamics in marine avian species but also provides a baseline for future research on parasite ecology and transmission in seabird populations.