Studies on the helminth parasites of the American herring gull (Larus argentatus Pont.) in Newfoundland

Abstract

Four hundred and ten herring gulls (128 chicks and 282 "adults"), obtained in Newfoundland, Canada, were examined for their helminth burden during 1966 and 1967. A total of 35 species of helminths were recovered during the survey (11 species of trematodes. 10 of cestodes, 11 of nematodes, and 3 of acanthocephala). Many of the records are new for Canada."Adult" birds were found to be far more heavily parasitized than the chicks, both with regard to number of birds infected and number of species per infected bird. Seasonal and annual variations were noted in the intensity of infection with certain species, while differences in the intensity of infection in male and female birds were noted in eight species. The helminths found were shown to have definite site preferences in the host animal.