The transmission and development of Paracuaria adunca (Creplin, 1846) (Nematoda: Acuarioidea) of gulls (Laridae)

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Abstract
P. adunca Anderson et Wong, 1981 of the gizzard of ring-billed gulls (Larus delawarensis) developed to the infective stage in the amphipods Hyalella azteca, Crangonyx laurentianus, and Gammarus duebeni. At 18.degree.-20.degree. C the 1st molt occurred 10 days and the 2nd, 18 days postinfection. Worms developed in the proventriculus of experimentally infected gulls, the 3rd molt occurred 2.5 days and the 4th, 5 days postinfection. In 8 days immature adults were found under the gizzard lining near the proventriculus. Females found 16 days postinfection had larvated eggs. Developmental stages in amphipods and gulls were described. Prevalance and intensity of P. adunca were studied in adult and juvenile gulls at the Eastern Headland (Leslie Spit) of the Outer Toronto Harbor, Lake Ontario [Canada]. The low mean intensity (1.6) in adult birds examined on April 2 suggests that there was little or no transmission of the parasite on the wintering grounds of the gulls. Intensity and prevalance increased in adult birds on the breeding grounds from April 2-June 25 and larval stages were found in the birds. Prevalance in young-of-the-year birds increased with age of the birds. Intensity reached a high of 3.2 (1-6) in 35- to 42-day-old-birds (July 3). Infective larvae became encapsulated on the mesentery of experimentally infected goldfish (Carassius auratus). Infective larave of P. adunca were found in the mesentery of fish (Culaea inconstans, Notropis hudsonius, Semotilus atromaculatus) collected in waters adjacent to the breeding grounds. Paracuaria adunca was transmitted experimentally to geese (Anser anser) and ducks (Anas platyrhynchos) but few worms were recovered from the few birds that became infected.