Digenean Parasites in the White-Backed Stilt Himantopus melanurus Vieillot, 1817 (Recurvirostridae) from the Argentine Coast

Abstract

Four species of digeneans were recovered from 1 specimen of Himantopus melanurus (Aves: Recurvirostridae) from Bahía Blanca estuary, Argentina. Digeneans were assigned to Psilochasmus oxyurus (Psilostomidae), Pygidiopsis crassus (Heterophyidae), Ascocotyle (Ascocotyle) felippei (Heterophyidae), and Levinseniella cruzi (Microphallidae). Psilochasmus oxyurus and A. (A.) felippei have been reported from other species of hosts, mostly from South America, but this is the southernmost report for these species. Levinseniella cruzi has been reported from H. melanurus from Mar Chiquita lagoon, to the north of Bahía Blanca estuary. This is the first report of P. crassus parasitizing a natural host.