William Threlfall

Ectoparasites from birds in Newfoundland.

During an ongoing survey of the ectoparasites of birds in Canada (Bourgeois and Threlfall, 1981, Proc. Entomol. Soc. Wash. 83: 799-800; Eveleigh and Threlfall, 1974a, Proc. Entomol. Soc. Wash. 76: 270-277; Eveleigh and Threlfall, 1974b, Acarologia 16: 621-635; Eveleigh and Threlfall, 1975, Can. J. Zool. 53: 82-86; Eveleigh and Threlfall, 1976, Can. J. Zool. 54: 1694-171 1; Fitzpatrick and Threlfall, 1977, Can. J. Zool. 55: 1205-1209; Threlfall et al., 1979, Proc. Entomol. Soc. Wash. 81: 327-328) we acquired 75 frozen birds, of 46 species, from Newfoundland for examination. Each bird was identified and then examined under a dissecting microscope. Any parasites found were preserved in 70% ethanol and later mounted in Rubin’s solution (Rubin, 1951, Stain Technol. 26: 257-260) to facilitate identification. Voucher specimens of biting lice (Mallophaga) were prepared using 5% potassium hydroxide (55 C, 8-12 hr)/ lO% acetic acid/70/95/100% ethanol/xylene/ Canada balsam, while mites (Acarina) were cleared in lactophenol and mounted in Hoyer’s medium. One complete set of representative specimens has been deposited in the Canadian National Collection (Accession numbers 1985-39 to 1985-64; Biosystematics Research Institute, Ottawa, Ontario K 1 A OC6, Canada). Major taxonomic keys used to identify the parasites included Clay (1969, Bull. Br. Mus. (Nat. Hist.) Entomol. 24: 1-26), Keirans (1967, N.H. Agric. Exp. Sta., Durham,

Feather Loss of Unknown Etiology in a Gull Colony in Newfoundland, Canada

tified as senovar balcanica occur commonly in possums in Victoria (Durfee and Presidente, 1977, Aust. Vet. J. 53: 508; Durfee and Presidente, 1979, Aust. J. Exp. Biol. Med. Sci. 57: 191-201) and in New South Wales (Milner et a!., 1981, J. Wild!. Dis. 17: 197-202). The two serovars, hardjo and balcanica, cannot be differentiated by conventional agglutination tests and possums infected with senovar balcanica develop microagglutination antibody that reacts with hardjo antigen (Durfee and Presidente, 1979, Aust. J. Exp. Biol. Med. Sci. 57: 231-240). We tested serum samples for antibodies to serovars hardjo, pomona, copenhageni and tarrasovi. Antibodies were not detected to any of the serovars tested. It is apparent that the brushtail possum may be a host for certain nematode parasites of ruminants. Although detection of specific antibody indicated exposure to two microbiological agents, both occurred at a low prevalence and T. vulpecula is therefore unlikely to be an important host or reservoir for these infectious diseases. He!minth specimens have been deposited in the Australian Helminth Collection housed in the South Australian Museum (S.A.M.) (Accession Nos. 14954-14957) and anthropod specimens have been lodged with the Australian National Insect Collection in Canberra and in the 5A.M. Animals were collected with the permission of the South Australian National Parks and Wildlife Service (permit number S01937). We thank Dr. R. Domnow, Queensland Institute of Medical Research for examining the mites, Dr. D. Kemp, C.S.I.R.O., Brisbane for confirming the identity of the ticks, M. Bald and R. Rowse!! for their assistance in the field, and G. Smith and L. Mikan for the serological studies.

Otodistomum cestoides (Van Beneden, 1871) from two species of skates taken in chilean waters

Otodistomum cestoides (van Beneden, 1871) (Azygiidae: Digenea) is reported for the first time from Psammobatis scobina and Raja flavirostris. The skates were caught off the coast of San Antonio, Chile.

Skull Deformity in a Herring Gull Chick (Larus argentatus)

A skull deformity resulting in death of a herring gull chick (Larus argentatus) is described in detail. The bones of the skull and upper jaw were twisted, assymetrical and of unusual size or absent. The lower jaw had an almost “spoon-like” external appearance and lacked normal articular surfaces.