Northern bobwhite population response to anthelminthic treatment in the Rolling Plains ecoregion of Texas, 2014-2016.

Northern bobwhite quail () are an economically significant gamebird that has experienced continued general decline in the Rolling Plains ecoregion of Texas. Habitat loss and changing environmental conditions have been cited as major contributors to this decline, with factors such as parasites being considered inconsequential. To better assess the impacts of parasite infections on bobwhite populations in the Rolling Plains, bobwhite abundance was monitored in response to anthelminthic treatment.

Response of Northern bobwhite () and two parasitic nematode populations in western Oklahoma to anthelmintic supplemental feed.

It has been demonstrated that helminths are capable of critically impacting the fitness of their hosts. This has typically been shown experimentally through the administration of anthelmintic drugs but are rarely performed on a landscape or host population scale. Here, the anthelmintic fenbendazole (FBZ) was mixed in a supplemental feed and provided to a free-ranging population of Northern bobwhite quail ().

In Vitro Lethality of Fenbendazole to the Eyeworm .

is a heteroxenous nematode that infects the harderian gland and other ocular tissues in birds. High-intensity infections often cause damage to the infected tissues. Due to the nature of the infection sites, treatment of in these hosts can be difficult.

Selection of suitable reference genes for normalization of RT-qPCR in three tissues of Northern bobwhite (Colinus virginianus) infected with eyeworm (Oxyspirura petrowi).

Background: The Northern bobwhite (Colinus virginianus) is an economically important, and popular game bird in North America. Northern bobwhites have experiencing declines of > 3.5% annually in recent decades due to several factors.

Validation of an enzyme immunoassay for the detection of corticosterone metabolites from northern bobwhite () feces.

Interest in the effects of stressors on wildlife has grown substantially over the past few decades. As this interest has grown, so has the need for minimally invasive and reliable methods for estimating differences in the levels of stress hormones. An enzyme immunoassay using standardized methods was validated for detecting concentrations of corticosterone (cort) metabolites from northern bobwhite fecal samples.

IMPLICATIONS OF TREATING PARASITIC INFECTION IN NORTHERN BOBWHITE (COLINUS VIRGINIANUS) ON OVERALL HELMINTH LIFE CYCLE.

This study was conducted to determine how reducing the parasite burden in a definitive host may affect the prevalence in intermediate hosts. Here we used the eyeworm Oxyspirura petrowi and cecal worm Aulonocephalus pennula as model species. Northern bobwhite quail (Colinus virginianus) were provided an anthelmintic medicated feed in wild systems because of convincing evidence that these parasites were suppressing their populations.

MOLECULAR IDENTIFICATION OF INSECT INTERMEDIATE HOSTS WITH POTENTIAL PARASITE TRANSMISSION TO THE DEFINITIVE HOST NORTHERN BOBWHITE (COLINUS VIRGINIANUS).

Grassland birds have been declining substantially for the past several years. Habitat loss, degradation, and fragmentation as well as climate change are all thought to be the main drivers of the decline. However, as the declines continue to accelerate, it is becoming imperative to examine other factors that may contribute to population fluctuations.

Validation of an LC-MS/MS method for assessment of fenbendazole sulfone drug residue in northern bobwhite liver.

The Northern Bobwhite (Colinus virginianus) is an economically important game bird within the Rolling Plains Ecoregion. Within this region, bobwhite is experiencing extreme cyclic population fluctuations which are resulting in a net decline in total population. It is suspected that within this region two helminth parasites, an eyeworm (Oxyspirura petrowi) and a cecal worm (Aulonocephalus pennula), are contributing to this phenomenon.

A Helminth Survey of Northern Bobwhite Quail (Colinus virginianus) and Passerines in the Rolling Plains Ecoregion of Texas.

The Northern bobwhite quail (Colinus virginianus) is a popular game bird that has been experiencing a well-documented decline throughout Texas since the 1960s. While much of this decline has been attributed to habitat loss and fragmentation, recent studies have identified other factors that may also contribute to decreasing quail populations. Parasites, in particular, have become increasingly recognized as possible stressors of quail, and some species, particularly the eyeworm (Oxyspirura petrowi) and cecal worm (Aulonocephalus pennula) are highly prevalent in Texas quails.

Molecular phylogenetic and in silico analysis of glyceraldeyde-3-phosphate dehydrogenase (GAPDH) gene from northern bobwhite quail (Colinus virginianus).

Many recent studies have been focused on prevalence and impact of two helminth parasites, eyeworm Oxyspirura petrowi and caecal worm Aulonocephalus pennula, in the northern bobwhite quail (Colinus virginianus). However, few studies have attempted to examine the effect of these parasites on the bobwhite immune system. This is likely due to the lack of proper reference genes for relative gene expression studies.

Avian and Emerging Human Oxyspirura Species Compared by Morphology, Pathogenicity, Intermediate Host, and Sequence Homology.

Based on sequence homology and phylogenetic tree results, the first report of eyeworm Oxyspirura species larvae has been confirmed in a human patient from Vietnam. However, important information related to Oxyspirura larvae was not presented in the case study. This comment provides a more detailed comparison of the Oxyspirura larvae found in the human case study to the avian eyeworm Oxyspirura petrowi.

"Weight of evidence" as a tool for evaluating disease in wildlife: An example assessing parasitic infection in Northern bobwhite ().

The potential of parasites to affect host abundance has been a topic of heated contention within the scientific community for some time, with many maintaining that issues such as habitat loss are more important in regulating wildlife populations than diseases. This is in part due to the difficulty in detecting and quantifying the consequences of disease, such as parasitic infection, within wild systems. An example of this is found in the Northern bobwhite quail (), an iconic game bird that is one of the most extensively studied vertebrates on the planet.

Prevalence of monarch (Danaus plexippus) and queen (Danaus gilippus) butterflies in West Texas during the fall of 2018.

Background: The monarch butterfly (Danaus plexippus) is a conspicuous insect that has experienced a drastic population decline over the past two decades. While there are several factors contributing to dwindling monarch populations, habitat loss is considered the most significant threat to monarchs. In the United States, loss of milkweed, particularly in the Midwest, has greatly reduced the available breeding habitat of monarchs.

Molecular Identification of Intermediate Hosts by Nested PCR Using Internal Transcribed Spacer 1 (ITS1).

Recently, the heteroxenous eyeworm, has gained attention due to its prevalence in the declining game bird, Northern bobwhite (), but the intermediate hosts of many nematodes remain unknown. However, identifying the intermediate host of with traditional techniques would be difficult and time-consuming, especially considering there are more than 80 potential orthopteran hosts just in Texas. To screen a large number of samples quickly and effectively, primers for nested PCR (nPCR) were developed using the internal transcribed spacer 1 (ITS1) region.

Functional PVA/VB2/TiO Nanofiber Webs for Controlled Drug Delivery.

Drug (vitamin B2, riboflavin, VB2)/nanoparticle (TiO, coated on drug surface) loaded poly(vinyl alcohol) (PVA) nanofiber webs were successfully produced by the electrospinning process. The characteristics of nanofiber structure, chemical composition, mechanical properties, and drug-release properties were investigated. The morphology and diameter of nanofibers were analyzed by atomic force microscopy and scanning electron microscopy.

Life-cycle of Oxyspirura petrowi (Spirurida: Thelaziidae), an eyeworm of the northern bobwhite quail (Colinus virginianus).

Background: Oxyspirura petrowi (Spirurida: Thelaziidae), a heteroxenous nematode of birds across the USA, may play a role in the decline of the northern bobwhite (Colinus virginianus) in the Rolling Plains Ecoregion of West Texas. Previous molecular studies suggest that crickets, grasshoppers and cockroaches serve as potential intermediate hosts of O. petrowi, although a complete study on the life-cycle of this nematode has not been conducted thus far.

Identification of eyeworm () and caecal worm () infection levels in Northern bobwhite quail () of the Rolling Plains, TX using a mobile research laboratory: Implications for regional surveillance.

Over the last few decades, there has been a decline in Northern bobwhite quail () throughout their native range. While there are various factors that may be influencing this decline, it is suggested that parasites should be taken into consideration as a potential contributor in the Rolling Plains Ecoregion. High prevalence of the eyeworm () and caecal worm () in bobwhite of this region, coupled with a continuous decline, creates a need to assess infection through alternative methods for regional surveillance.

Quantitative analysis of Northern bobwhite (Colinus virginianus) cytokines and TLR expression to eyeworm (Oxyspirura petrowi) and caecal worm (Aulonocephalus pennula) glycoproteins.

Helminth parasites have been a popular research topic due to their global prevalence and adverse effects on livestock and game species. The Northern bobwhite (Colinus virginianus), a popular game bird in the USA, is one species subject to helminth infection and has been experiencing a decline of > 4% annually over recent decades. In the Rolling Plains Ecoregion of Texas, the eyeworm (Oxyspirura petrowi) and caecal worm (Aulonocephalus pennula) helminths are found to be highly prevalent in bobwhite.

Predicting seasonal infection of eyeworm () and caecal worm () in northern bobwhite quail () of the Rolling Plains Ecoregion of Texas, USA.

The northern bobwhite quail () is a popular gamebird in the Rolling Plains Ecoregion of West Texas. However, there has been a population decline in this area over recent decades. Consistent reports indicate a high prevalence of the eyeworm () and caecal worm (), which may be of major influence on the bobwhite population.

Molecular identification of Physaloptera sp. from wild northern bobwhite (Colinus virginianus) in the Rolling Plains ecoregion of Texas.

Physaloptera spp. are common nematodes found in the stomach and muscles of mammals, reptiles, amphibians, and birds. Physaloptera spp.

Elevated parasite burdens as a potential mechanism affecting northern bobwhite (Colinus virginianus) population dynamics in the Rolling Plains of West Texas.

Northern bobwhite quail (Colinus virginianus) are a highly sought-after game bird in the Rolling Plains of West Texas. Unfortunately, bobwhite populations in this area are subject to dramatic fluctuations and have been steadily decreasing over the past several decades. While many factors have been investigated as potential mechanisms of cyclic and declining bobwhite numbers, the effect of parasites on bobwhite populations has historically been undervalued.

Development of a multiplex quantitative PCR assay for eyeworm (Oxyspirura petrowi) and caecal worm (Aulonocephalus pennula) detection in Northern bobwhite quail (Colinus virginianus) of the Rolling Plains Ecoregion, Texas.

The Northern bobwhite quail (Colinus virginianus) is an economically significant gamebird that has experienced a decline throughout the Rolling Plains ecoregion of Texas. Recent surveys of this area have revealed a high prevalence in eyeworm (Oxyspirura petrowi) and caecal worm (Aulonocephalus pennula) infection that may contribute to this decline. In order to further understand these parasites role in bobwhite populations, a time-, and cost-effective multiplex quantitative PCR (qPCR) assay was developed in this study to detect eyeworm and caecal worm infection through egg detection using the ITS2 and COX1 gene region, respectively.

Molecular identification and characterization of partial COX1 gene from caecal worm () in Northern bobwhite () from the Rolling Plains Ecoregion of Texas.

is a nematode living in the caeca of the wild Northern bobwhite quail () present throughout the Rolling Plains Ecoregion of Texas. The cytochrome oxidase 1 (COX 1) gene of the mitochondrial genome was used to screen in wild quail. Through BLAST analysis, similarity of to other nematode parasites was compared at the nucleotide level.

Caecal worm, , infection in the northern bobwhite quail, .

Parasitic nematodes that infect quail have been understudied and long been dismissed as a problem in quail management. Within the Rolling Plains ecoregion of Texas, an area that has experienced quail population "boom and bust" cycles and ultimately a general decline, the need to determine why Northern bobwhite () populations are diminishing has increased in priority. Previously, caecal parasites have been documented to cause inactivity, weight loss, reduced growth, inflammation to the caecal mucosa, and even death.

Aflatoxin contamination in corn sold for wildlife feed in texas.

Supplemental feeding with corn to attract and manage deer is a common practice throughout Texas. Other species, including northern bobwhites (Colinus virginianus), are commonly seen feeding around supplemental deer feeders. In many cases, supplemental feeding continues year-round so feed supply stores always have supplemental corn in stock.