Ectoparasites of the california quail (Callipepla californica) in Ñuble province, Chile and their correlation with the sex, age and the habitat.

Abstract

A total of 114 quails (Callipepla californica) were collected and the following ectoparasites were isolated in Ñuble Province (Chile), between November 1994 and April 1995 (prevalence in %): Epicolinus elipticus (28.1%), Zlotozyckella stefani (60.5%), Megninia glynglimura (100%), Pseudolichus sp. (43.0%), Amblyomma sp. (13.2%) and a mite from the Trombiculidae family (11.4%). The parasite prevalences presented no correlation with age (juveniles and adults), sex, and capture area (humid and arid). The ectoparasites found represent the first recorded on this host in Chile.