The ectoparasites of three species of seabirds from Newfoundland, Canada

• Published in: Canadian Journal of Zoology
• Main Authors: Fitzpatrick, Charles, Threlfall, William
• Format: Article in Journal/Newspaper
• Language: English
• Published: Canadian Science Publishing 1977
• Subjects: Animal Science and Zoology; Ecology, Evolution, Behavior and Systematics; Canada; Gull Island; Newfoundland; Oceanodroma leucorhoa; rissa tridactyla
• Online Access: http://dx.doi.org/10.1139/z77-158; http://www.nrcresearchpress.com/doi/pdf/10.1139/z77-158

Two groups of ectoparasites, namely Mallophaga and Acarina, were recovered from 47 Larus argentatus, 29 Rissa tridactyla, and 18 Oceanodroma leucorhoa taken on Gull Island, Witless Bay, Newfoundland, during the period June–August 1974. Mallophaga of the genera Saemundssonia and Quadraceps (Ischnocera) were found to be common ectoparasites of both L. argentatus and R. tridactyla and the genera Halipeurus (Ischnocera) and Austromenopon (Amblycera) were recovered from O. leucorhoa. A single ixodid tick, Ixodes (Ceratixodes) uriae, was recovered from an R. tridactyla chick. Only O. leucorhoa were found to harbour feather mites, these belonging to the genera Zachvatkinia, Brephosceles, Connivelobus, and Ingrassia.Details on the degree of infestation of the birds are given as well as the distribution of each ectoparasite species on the hosts.