Mite-filled cyst on a Brown-headed Cowbird (Molothrus ater) in Florida, USA.
A large, partly pedunculated mass on the scapular area of a wild-caught captive Brown-headed Cowbird (Molothrus ater) consisted of a multiloculated keratin cyst inhabited by a new species of harpirhynchid mite (Harpirhynchus quasimodo). The mass did not interfere with flight or behavior. This is the first record of such an infestation of cowbirds in Florida.
Spalding
Marilyn G
MG
Department of Infectious Diseases and Pathology, College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Florida, Gainesville, Florida 32611, USA. SpaldingM@vetmed.ufl.edu
Mertins
James W
JW
Reetz
Matthew J
MJ
Keacher
Kandy L
KL
Avery
Michael L
ML
Greiner
Ellis C
EC
D000818:Animals; D001715:Bird Diseases / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000469:parasitology; D005260:Female; D005431:Florida / Q000453:epidemiology; D006790:Host-Parasite Interactions; D008924:Mite Infestations / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000662:veterinary*; D046109:Passeriformes / Q000469:parasitology*