title: Oxyspirura petrowiinfection leads to pathological consequences in Northern bobwhite (Colinus virginianus).
abstract: Debilitating ocular diseases are often reported in avian species. By and large, helminth parasites have been overlooked in avian diseases and regarded as inconsequential. The decline of Northern bobwhite quail (Colinus virginianus) in the Rolling Plains ecoregion of Texas has prompted an investigation of the factors influencing their disappearance. Infection by the eyeworm (Oxyspirura petrowi) has been documented in many avian species; however, the effect it has on its host is not well understood. Heavy eyeworm infection has been documented in Northern bobwhites throughout this ecoregion, leading to eye pathology in this host species. The present study further documents and supports the pathological changes associated withO. petrowiin bobwhites.
authors.affiliation: The Wildlife Toxicology Laboratory, The Institute of Environmental and Human Health, Texas Tech University, Box 43290, Lubbock, TX, 79409-3290, USA.
authors.forename: Nicholas R
authors.initials: NR
authors.lastname: Dunham
authors.affiliation: Texas A&M Veterinary Medical Diagnostic Laboratory, 6610 W. Amarillo Blvd, Amarillo, TX, 79106, USA.
authors.forename: Scott
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Reed
authors.affiliation: Rolling Plains Quail Research Ranch, 1262 U.S. Highway 180 W., Rotan, Texas, 79546, USA.
authors.forename: Dale
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Rollins
authors.affiliation: The Wildlife Toxicology Laboratory, The Institute of Environmental and Human Health, Texas Tech University, Box 43290, Lubbock, TX, 79409-3290, USA.
authors.forename: Ronald J
authors.initials: RJ
authors.lastname: Kendall
keywords: Colinus virginianus; Eyeworm; Northern bobwhite; Oxyspirura petrowi; Parasitism; Pathology