Field Techniques for Collecting and Preserving Helminth Parasites from Birds, with New Geographic and Host Records of Parasitic Nematodes from Bolivia

Abstract

The collection and preservation of helminth parasites from birds under field conditions are discussed and suggestions are made for identification and deposition of specimens. We also report on the parasitic helminths observed during study skin preparation during an expedition to Bolivia in 1989. Of the approximately 272 bird species collected (1,110 individuals), nematodes were detected in 43 species (16%). Nematodes from 28 of the bird species could be identified, representing 12 species and 10 genera. This represents the only published report of nematode parasites of birds from Bolivia, including 2 new host and 12 new geographic records. These data provide additional baseline information on the helminth parasites of Neotropical birds that is necessary to understand the consequences of parasitic infections. Resumen. Se discuten la colecci6n y preservaci6n de par&sitos helmintos de las aves bajo condiciones de campo y se hacen sugerencias para la identification y deposici6n de los especimenes. Tambien reportamos sobre los helmintos parasfticos observados durante la preparaci6n de especimenes de aves colectados en una expedici6n a Bolivia en 1989. De las aproximadamente 272 especies de aves colectadas (1,110 individuos), 43 especies (16%) hospedaban nematodos. En 28 de las especies de aves, se pudieron identificar nematodos representando doce especies y 10 generos. Esto representa el unico reporte publicado de parasitos de nematodos para las aves de Bolivia, incluyendo dos nuevos huespedes y 12 nuevos records geograficos. Estos datos proporciona informaci6n adicional para datos tasicos sobre parasitos helmintos de aves neotropicales. Datos como estos son necesarios para poder lograr entender las consequencias de infecciones parasiticas. Although birds have been collected in Bolivia for a century, no published records exist of parasitic helminths of birds in the country. This is unfortunate in light of recent implications of the effects of bird parasites on host fitness (Atkinson and van Riper 1991), sexual selection (Hamilton and Zuk 1982), and behavior (van Riper et al. 1986). The implication of parasitic infections for their host community structure and their importance in conservation biology are also becoming more evident (Scott 1988, Minchella and Scott 1991). However, even the most basic data on parasite distribution, prevalence, and life cycle are lacking for common parasite species in Neotropical birds. By examining bird specimens for parasites, ornithologists increase the value of those specimens and provide essential background data for work necessary to evaluate fully the impact of parasites on avian evolution and ecology. Unfortunately, ornithologists on field expeditions typically lack the time and training to properly examine study specimens for parasites, or to collect and preserve specimens.