Helminth parasites of yellow-legged gull larus michahellis (Charadriiformes) from Bursa, Turkey

Abstract

The yellow-legged gull, Larus michahellis, is a common gull that exists in Europe, the Middle East, and North Africa. Their broad diet makes them especially susceptible to a variety of helminths. We conducted a survey of intestinal helminths of L. michahellis to determine the diversity of intestinal parasites. Thirty-five yellow-legged gulls were necropsied, and helminths were examined via light microscopy. Twenty-three of 35 (65%) of hosts examined were infected with the following helminths: 6 Digenea species (Acanthotrema armata, Brachylaima aspersae, Cryptocotyle lingua, Diplostomum spathaceum, Knipowitschiatrema sp., and Stephanoprora denticulata); 5 Cestode species (Alcotaenia microcantha, Diphyllobothrium dentriticum, Microsomacanthus ductilis, Monopylidium galbulae, and Tetrabothrius erostris); and 2 Nematode species (Contracaecum rudolphii and Synhimanthus sp.). Herein, the intestinal parasite diversity of yellow-legged gulls from Turkey is reported, and new geographical records are documented.