Acuaroid nematodes in the common kestrel (Falco tinnunculus) in the south of Spain.

Abstract

The prevalence, intensity and abundance of acuaroid nematodes were determined in the common kestrel (Falco tinnunculus) in Andalusia, Spain. Acuaroid nematodes were present in 26/41 (63.4%) of birds examined. The most common species belonged to the genus Synhimantus subgenus Synhimantus (56%): S. (S.) laticeps (36.5%), S. (S.) robertdollfusi (24.3%) and a single specimen of a third, unknown, Synhimantus (S.) spp., unlike any other described previously (2.4%). Other species identified were Synhimantus (Dispharynx) spp. (2.4%), S. (D.) nasuta (4.8%), Desportesius spinulatus (9.7%) and Skrjabinoclava spp. (2.4%). This is the first record of these three species in F. tinnunculus, but the latter two are considered to be accidental parasites in birds of prey.