Prevalence of Parasitic Infections Between Green-Winged Teal and Wood Ducks
Abstract
Dabbling ducks such as green-winged teal (Anas carolinensis) and wood ducks (Aix sponsa) are some of the most common duck species in the Minnesota and Wisconsin territories. These species are known as dabblers because they eat food on or above the water's surface. These surfaces may harbor parasites which the ducks can unintentionally ingest. This study's purpose was to compare the parasite prevalence and intensity between these two species and their sexes to see which species is more vulnerable to parasite consumption and infection. This can explain how dabbling duck species can obtain parasites based on their different feeding and migratory patterns. Twenty-eight green-winged teal and thirty wood duck carcasses were collected and dissected to find the total amount of internal and external parasites occupying their host duck. For this study a pivot table and t-test were used to determine statistical differences for infection prevalence. Initial analysis revealed that females were more vulnerable than males to be infected, and green-winged teals are the most susceptible out of the two species overall to be infected with internal and external parasites
College
College of Science & Engineering
Department
Biology
Campus
Winona
First Advisor/Mentor
Kimberly Bates
Location
Ballroom - Kryzsko Commons
Start Date
4-18-2024 10:00 AM
End Date
4-18-2024 11:00 AM
Presentation Type
Poster Session
Format of Presentation or Performance
In-Person
Session
1b=10am-11am
Poster Number
38
Prevalence of Parasitic Infections Between Green-Winged Teal and Wood Ducks
Ballroom - Kryzsko Commons
Dabbling ducks such as green-winged teal (Anas carolinensis) and wood ducks (Aix sponsa) are some of the most common duck species in the Minnesota and Wisconsin territories. These species are known as dabblers because they eat food on or above the water's surface. These surfaces may harbor parasites which the ducks can unintentionally ingest. This study's purpose was to compare the parasite prevalence and intensity between these two species and their sexes to see which species is more vulnerable to parasite consumption and infection. This can explain how dabbling duck species can obtain parasites based on their different feeding and migratory patterns. Twenty-eight green-winged teal and thirty wood duck carcasses were collected and dissected to find the total amount of internal and external parasites occupying their host duck. For this study a pivot table and t-test were used to determine statistical differences for infection prevalence. Initial analysis revealed that females were more vulnerable than males to be infected, and green-winged teals are the most susceptible out of the two species overall to be infected with internal and external parasites
