Gapeworm (Syngamus spp.) prevalence in Wisconsin greater prairie chickens (Tympanuchus cupido pinnatus)
Under Wisconsin state law, the greater prairie chicken (GRPC; Tympanuchus cupido pinnatus ) has been listed as a threatened species since 1976. In 2014–15, we conducted a pilot study to determine the prevalence and intensity of gapeworms ( Syngamus spp.) in female Wisconsin GRPCs collected from 2 monitored populations. We captured 62 female GRPCs using walk-in-style traps for females and night lighting for juveniles ≥45 days of age. From these individuals, we collected 15 carcasses of radio-marked birds, most of whom died due to predation events. Through dissection, we identified gapeworm in 20% of examined carcasses and report an intensity ranging between 4 and 74 worms.
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