title: Caecal worm,Aulonocephalus pennula, infection in the northern bobwhite quail,Colinus virginianus.
abstract: Parasitic nematodes that infect quail have been understudied and long been dismissed as a problem in quail management. Within the Rolling Plains ecoregion of Texas, an area that has experienced quail population "boom and bust" cycles and ultimately a general decline, the need to determine why Northern bobwhite (Colinus virginianus) populations are diminishing has increased in priority. Previously, caecal parasites have been documented to cause inactivity, weight loss, reduced growth, inflammation to the caecal mucosa, and even death. The caecal wormAulonocephalus pennulais an intestinal nematode parasite that is commonly found within the caecum of quail, as well as many other avian species. In the Rolling Plains ecoregion,A. pennulahas been documented to have as high as a 98% prevalence in bobwhite quail samples; however, the effect it has on its host is not well understood. The present study documentsA. pennulacauses no pathological changes within the caeca of the Northern bobwhite. However, there is concern for disruption of digestion and the possible implications of infection for wild bobwhite quail survival are discussed.
authors.affiliation: The Wildlife Toxicology Laboratory, Texas Tech University, Box 43290, Lubbock, TX, 79409-3290, USA.
authors.forename: Nicholas R
authors.initials: NR
authors.lastname: Dunham
authors.affiliation: The Wildlife Toxicology Laboratory, Texas Tech University, Box 43290, Lubbock, TX, 79409-3290, USA.
authors.forename: Cassandra
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Henry
authors.affiliation: The Wildlife Toxicology Laboratory, Texas Tech University, Box 43290, Lubbock, TX, 79409-3290, USA.
authors.forename: Matthew
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Brym
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: Texas A&M Veterinary Medical Diagnostic Laboratory, 6610 Amarillo Blvd. West, Amarillo, TX, 79106, USA.
authors.forename: R Gayman
authors.initials: RG
authors.lastname: Helman
authors.affiliation: The Wildlife Toxicology Laboratory, Texas Tech University, Box 43290, Lubbock, TX, 79409-3290, USA.
authors.forename: Ronald J
authors.initials: RJ
authors.lastname: Kendall
keywords: Aulonocephalus pennula; Caecal worm; Colinus virginianus; Northern bobwhite; Parasitism; Pathology