Helminth Parasites of Eastern Screech Owl, Megascops asio (Aves: Strigiformes: Strigidae) from Arkansas

Abstract

The eastern screech owl ( Megascops asio ) is a small owl that is relatively common in eastern North America. Nothing is known of the parasites of this owl in Arkansas. Here, we document 3 helminths from a single injured M. asio that subsequently died and was donated by a rehabilitation center for parasitic examination. Found were 2 digenetic trematodes, Brachylaima mcintoshi and Neodiplostomum americanum , and a habronematid nematode, Excisa excisiformis . The former trematode represents a new host record for M. asio , and B. mcintoshi and E. excisiformis are reported from Arkansas for the first time.