The occurrence, life cycle, and pathogenicity of Echinuria uncinata (Rudolphi, 1819) Soloviev, 1912 (Spirurida, Nematoda) in waterfowl at Delta, Manitoba

Abstract

In the Delta Marsh, third-stage Echinuria uncinata juveniles were found in Daphnia magna, D. pulex, Simocephalus vetulus, and Gammarus lacustris. Daphnia magna, the major host, were found infected from late May to early November with a peak of 108 parasites per 100 Daphnia in early August. Experimentally, D. magna, D. pulex, Ceriodaphnia reticulata, C. acanthina, S. vetulus, Moina macrocopa, Eurycercus lamellatus, G. lacustris, Hyallela azteca, Chirocephalopsis bundyi, and Lynceus brachyurus became infected when exposed to E. uncinata eggs. Parasites developed to the infective stage in D. magna and D. pulex in 30 days at 15 °C and in 10 days at 20–24 °C.In mallard ducks, E. uncinata completed the fourth molt 20 days after infection; male worms were sexually mature after 30 days and females oviposited 40 days after infection. Parasites grew faster in 1-week-old Delta mallards than in 2- and 3-month-old birds. Adult nematodes were located beneath the mucosal layer at the junction of the proventriculus and gizzard where granulomas formed after 30 days. The number of granulomas was correlated with the number of parasites. Mallards, pintails, gadwalls, lesser scaup, common eiders, and domestic geese were more susceptible to Echinuria infection than were shovellers, blue-winged teal, redheads, ruddy ducks, and American coots. Parasite eggs died when frozen but 50% survived 85 days when dried on filter paper. Echinuria uncinata can survive winter in resident mallards.