Presenter(s)
Annika N. Lensch, Ethan B. Gjervik, McKenna A. Baker, Elizabeth K. Haumont, and MiVang Xiong
Abstract
Gadwall ducks (Mareca strepera) are commonly found in lakes, ponds, and marshes west of the Mississippi River in summer months. A Gadwall duck is considered a dabbler duck which feeds on aquatic plants floating on the water's surface occasionally feeding on insects, crustaceans (crayfish, crabs), and small fish. Trematodes are a commonly found parasite in the gastrointestinal tract of many species of ducks. The ducks used in this study were legally collected and donated by hunters from Buffalo City, Wisconsin along the Mississippi River. This study will focus on identifying trematodes found within Gadwall ducks such as Echinostoma, Zygocotyle, and other different species of trematodes yet to be identified. With these parasites, their morphological features will be identified and measured. Some key morphological features consist of size, shape, internal organs, and mouthparts. To visualize the parasites’ physical features, they will be stained with carmine and mounted onto a slide. After this procedure, a microscope digital camera (AMScope) will be used to visually enhance their features, so that they can be compared to literature figures. Finally, once morphological features have been compared, the parasites can be confirmed as a specific species of trematodes. A confirmation of taxonomy will be determined using PCR.
College
College of Science & Engineering
Department
Biology
Campus
Winona
First Advisor/Mentor
Kimberly Bates
Location
Ballroom - Kryzsko Commons
Start Date
4-18-2024 9:00 AM
End Date
4-18-2024 10:00 AM
Presentation Type
Poster Session
Format of Presentation or Performance
In-Person
Session
1a=9am-10am
Poster Number
41
Included in
Morphology of Trematodes in Gadwall Ducks (Mareca strepera) Found in the Mississippi Valley: Parasitology Class Project
Ballroom - Kryzsko Commons
Gadwall ducks (Mareca strepera) are commonly found in lakes, ponds, and marshes west of the Mississippi River in summer months. A Gadwall duck is considered a dabbler duck which feeds on aquatic plants floating on the water's surface occasionally feeding on insects, crustaceans (crayfish, crabs), and small fish. Trematodes are a commonly found parasite in the gastrointestinal tract of many species of ducks. The ducks used in this study were legally collected and donated by hunters from Buffalo City, Wisconsin along the Mississippi River. This study will focus on identifying trematodes found within Gadwall ducks such as Echinostoma, Zygocotyle, and other different species of trematodes yet to be identified. With these parasites, their morphological features will be identified and measured. Some key morphological features consist of size, shape, internal organs, and mouthparts. To visualize the parasites’ physical features, they will be stained with carmine and mounted onto a slide. After this procedure, a microscope digital camera (AMScope) will be used to visually enhance their features, so that they can be compared to literature figures. Finally, once morphological features have been compared, the parasites can be confirmed as a specific species of trematodes. A confirmation of taxonomy will be determined using PCR.
