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: 2010 p. 172 - 177

1525-2647

Twenty seven Magellanic penguins, Spheniscus magellanicus (Sphenisciformes), were collected from September 1996 to November 2000 from Península Valdés (42º04’–42º53’S, 63º38’–64º30’W), on the Patagonian coast, Argentina and examined for helminthes. All birds were parasitized by at least 1 of the 5 following parasites species: Tetrabothrius lutzi (Cestoda); Cardiocephaloides physalis (Lutz, 1926) (Digenea), Contracaecum pelagicum (Johnston and Mawson, 1942), Cosmocephalus obvelatus (Creplin, 1825) (Nematoda), and Corynosoma sp. (Acanthocephala). The total mean intensity was 686, and all helminthes were parasitizing the gastrointestinal tract. The helminth community composition of S. magellanicus is reported for first time in Argentina increasing the host range of many of the species registered.