Nematode parasites of the shining cuckoo,Chrysococcyx lucidus lucidus(Aves: Cuculiformes), in New Zealand

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Abstract
Four of 28 shining cuckoo cadavers examined were infected with a new species of intestine-inhabiting nematode, here described as Ascaridia zelandica. Irom all other species known from cuckoos by having the caudal alae distinctly divided into an anterior part that extends posteriorly to the mid-tail region, and a more posterior part that extends almost to the tail tip. It is further distinguished from all other species from cuckoos except A. trilabium by the possession of cervical alae; and from A. trilabium by the possession of 12 pairs of caudal papillae, spicules more than 2.5 mm long, and a median or slightly posterior vulva (V = 52–55%). One cuckoo contained females of a Microtetrameres species which is not named or described because of the lack of male specimens.