Abstract

We have been monitoring wild Northern bobwhite quail (Colinus virginianus) on a research transect in Mitchell County, Texas. We captured a total of 51 bobwhites in March-May of 2016 and 2017 and examined them for eyeworm (Oxyspirura petrowi) and caecal worm (Aulonocephalus pennula) infections. In March 2017, bobwhites averaged 15 ± 10 eyeworms and 269 ± 90 caecal worms, and by mid-April averages had increased to 18 ± 13 eyeworms and 372 ± 144 caecal worms. These averages were much higher than those observed in March 2016 (11 ± 13 eyeworms and 160 ± 57 caecal worms) and April 2016 (12 ± 12 and 216 ± 56, respectively). We observed a precipitous decline in quail numbers by late April 2017, and average infection had dropped to 7 ± 2 eyeworms and 252 ± 109 caecal worms. The number of trapping sessions needed to capture one bobwhite also increased from 14.26 in 2016 to 36.46 in 2017. These observations warrant further investigation into the effects these helminth parasites may have on bobwhites and their populations within the Rolling Plains.

Keywords: Aulonocephalus pennula; Bobwhite; Cecal worms; Colinus virginianus; Eyeworm; Northern bobwhite; Oxyspirura petrowi; Rolling plains; Texas