Presentation: 2025 ND EPSCoR Annual conference
October 21, 2025, NDSU Memorial Union, Fargo, North Dakota
Parasites of the American Woodcock from Wisconsin, USA
Roxanne
Gasperetti
Doctoral Student
University of North Dakota
Co-authors: Dr. Vasyl Tkach, Professor, University of North Dakota, Dr. Tyler Achatz, Professor, Middle Georgia State University, Dr. Jeffrey Bell, Professor, University of North Dakota, Dr. Mike Kinsella, Helm West Laboratory, Dr. Sarah Orlofske, Professor, University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point
Session
Poster number: 100
Ballroom
The American woodcock (Scolopax minor) is a migratory shorebird whose populations have declined since the 1960’s, mainly due to habitat loss. They differ from other shorebirds in that they inhabit young forests and fields and feed primarily on earthworms and some other invertebrates. This presents an opportunity to investigate the distinctiveness of their parasite communities and their potential as indicators of population health in woodcock. We examined for parasites hunter-donated frozen woodcock specimens collected in Wisconsin. Feathers were examined for ectoparasites, and internal organs were examined for endoparasites, which were collected and preserved for both morphological and molecular analysis. A combination of morphological and molecular methods were used for parasite identification. Additionally, liver samples were collected and preserved in 95% ethanol for molecular detection of haemosporidian (=”avian malaria”) infections. Of 54 woodcock specimens necropsied, nematode infections were found in 35 (64%), cestode infections in 42 (77%), digenean infections in 35 (64%), mites in 1 (1%), and lice in 5 (9%). Additionally, Pseudapatemon digeneans were collected and sequenced for the first time, providing opportunity for phylogenetic analysis. Studying these parasites will improve our understanding of parasite diversity and host-parasite dynamics in American woodcock. These results ultimately will inform conservation efforts for this bird species.