title: Parasitism of wild Gouldian finches (Erythrura gouldiae) by the air-sac mite Sternostoma tracheacolum.
abstract: Sixty-two percent of 26 wild caught Gouldian finches (Erythrura gouldiae) were infected with Sternostoma tracheacolum, a parasitic rhinonyssid mite. The intensity of infection was higher in adult finches than juveniles, and higher in juvenile females than juvenile males. Histopathological investigation of wild Gouldian Finches revealed bronchopneumonia and air sacculitis associated with mite infection. Although this mite may not have contributed to the decline of Gouldian finch populations in the wild during the past 20 yr, it may be suppressing the return of the finch to its former status.
authors.affiliation: Conservation Commission of the Northern Territory, Palmerston, Northern Territory, Australia.
authors.forename: S C
authors.initials: SC
authors.lastname: Tidemann
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: McOrist
authors.forename: J C
authors.initials: JC
authors.lastname: Woinarski
authors.forename: W J
authors.initials: WJ
authors.lastname: Freeland
mesh_terms: D000367:Age Factors; D000400:Air Sacs / Q000469:parasitology* / Q000473:pathology; D000818:Animals; D000835:Animals, Wild; D001715:Bird Diseases / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000469:parasitology / Q000473:pathology; D001717:Birds; D005260:Female; D008297:Male; D008855:Microscopy, Electron, Scanning; D008924:Mite Infestations / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000469:parasitology / Q000473:pathology / Q000662:veterinary*; D008925:Mites / Q000254:growth & development / Q000502:physiology* / Q000648:ultrastructure; D015876:Northern Territory / Q000453:epidemiology; D012137:Respiratory System / Q000469:parasitology / Q000473:pathology; D012737:Sex Factors; D014904:Western Australia / Q000453:epidemiology