Helminths of Spheniscus magellanicus in Argentina Helminths of the Magellanic Penguin, Spheniscus magellanicus (Sphenisciformes), during the Breading Season in Patagonian coast, Chubut, Argentina.

DIAZ J.I.; CREMONTE F.; NAVONE G T

COMPARATIVE PARASITOLOGY

HELMINTHOLOGICAL SOC WASHINGTON, C/O ALLEN PRESS INC

Año: 2009

1525-2647

The aim of this paper is to report the helminths of Spheniscus magellanicus (Sphenisciformes) from Península Valdés (42º04’–42º53’S, 63º38’– 64º30’W), on the Patagonian coast, Argentina. From September 1996 to November 2000, 27 Magellanic Penguins were collected and dissected. All birds were parasitized by at least 1 of the 5 following parasites species: Tetrabothirus lutzi (Cestoda); Cardiocephaloides physalis (Lutz, 1926) (Digenea), Contracecum pelagicum (Johnston and Mawson, 1942), Cosmocephalus obvelatus (Creplin, 1825) (Nematoda), and Corynosoma sp. (Acanthocephala). The mean intensity was 686 parasites per host and all helminthes were parasitizing the gastrointestinal tract. The helminth community of S. magellanicus in Patagonian coast is impoverished and similar in the generic composition of that reported for other penguin species. The helminth community composition of S. magellanicus is reported for first time in Argentina increasing the host range of many of the species registered