How to translate text using browser tools
1 June 2023 APPARENT PREVALENCE, DIVERSITY, AND ASSOCIATED LESIONS OF PERIORBITAL NEMATODES IN A POPULATION OF BARRED OWLS (STRIX VARIA) FROM NORTHERN CALIFORNIA, USA
Kevin D. Niedringhaus, John P. Dumbacher, Freeland Dunker, Shelby Medina, Becki Lawson, Heather M. A. Fenton, J. Mark Higley, Ellen Haynes, Michael J. Yabsley
Author Affiliations +
Abstract

Over the last four decades, Barred Owls (Strix varia) have expanded their range to include much of western North America, including California. This expansion is suspected to have contributed to declining populations of a closely related species, the federally threatened Northern Spotted Owl (Strix occidentalis caurina). As a result, understanding potential health threats to Barred Owls has implications for Spotted Owl health and recovery. From 2016 to 2020, 69 Barred Owls were collected to determine the apparent prevalence of periorbital nematode infection, to identify the parasite species present, and to investigate the potential pathologic effects on their hosts. The nematodes were morphologically identified as Oxyspirura and Aprocta spp. On the basis of phylogenetic analyses, they were clearly divergent from published sequences of other species within these genera. Overall, 34 (49%) Barred Owls were infected with periorbital nematodes, with Oxyspirura sp. infections being much more common (94%) than Aprocta sp. (18%). Histopathology revealed varying severity of conjunctivitis in infected owls. Despite the frequency of infection and subsequent inflammation, parasite burden was not associated with reduced body weight in these owls. As a result, the potential health effect of these nematodes is unclear. Further taxonomic characterization is needed to determine potential novelty of these nematodes.

Kevin D. Niedringhaus, John P. Dumbacher, Freeland Dunker, Shelby Medina, Becki Lawson, Heather M. A. Fenton, J. Mark Higley, Ellen Haynes, and Michael J. Yabsley "APPARENT PREVALENCE, DIVERSITY, AND ASSOCIATED LESIONS OF PERIORBITAL NEMATODES IN A POPULATION OF BARRED OWLS (STRIX VARIA) FROM NORTHERN CALIFORNIA, USA," Journal of Wildlife Diseases 59(2), 299-309, (1 June 2023). https://doi.org/10.7589/JWD-D-21-00186
Received: 23 November 2021; Accepted: 24 October 2022; Published: 1 June 2023
KEYWORDS
Aprocta
Barred Owl
nematode
Oxyspirura
parasitology
Strix varia
wildlife health
RIGHTS & PERMISSIONS
Get copyright permission
Back to Top