Parasitic helminths and arthropods of greater shearwaters (Puffinus gravis) from Florida

Fifteen greater shearwaters (Puffinus gravis) collected during June 1993 from the east coast of Florida were examined for parasites. Twenty-five species were identified and included 5 nematodes, 4 cestodes, 9 mites, 6 chewing lice, and 1 tick. All birds examined were infected with at least 4 species of helminths (mean 5.2, range 4-7 species). All are known from greater shearwaters except Stegophorus diomedeae, Stegophoncs stellaepolaris, and Tetrabothrius minor. The most common helminths were the cestodes Tetrabothrius filiformis and Tetrabothrius laccocephalus and the nematode Stegophorus diomedeae, which occurred in prevalences of 100%, 93%, and 93%, respectively. All 15 birds were infested with chewing lice, but 4 birds were free of mites. Each bird was infested by at least 3 species of parasitic arthropods (mean 6.8, range 3-12 species). The most common arthropods were 2 chewing lice, Austromenopon paululum and Halipeurus gravis, both of which occurred on 100% of the birds. The bird tick, Ixodes auritulus, is reported for the first time from the east coast of the United States.