PARASITIC HELMINTHS AND ARTHROPODS OF GREATER SHEARWATERS (PUFFINUS-GRAVIS) FROM FLORIDA

Fifteen greater shearwaters (Puffinus gravis) collected during June 19 93 from the east coast of Florida were examined for parasites. Twenty- five species were identified and included 5 nematodes, 4 cestodes, 9 m ites, 6 chewing lice, and 1 tick. All birds examined were infected wit h at least 4 species of helminths (mean 5.2, range 4-7 species). All a re known from greater shearwaters except Stegophorus diomedeae, Stegop honcs stellaepolaris, and Tetrabothrius minor. The most common helmint hs were the cestodes Tetrabothrius filiformis and Tetrabothrius laccoc ephalus and the nematode Stegophorus diomedeae, which occurred in prev alences of 100%, 93%, and 93%, respectively. All 15 birds were infeste d with chewing lice, but 4 birds were free of mites. Each bird was inf ested by at least 3 species of parasitic arthropods (mean 6.8, range 3 -12 species). The most common arthropods were 2 chewing lice, Austrome nopon paululum and Halipacrus gravis, both of which occurred on 100% o f the birds. The bird tick, Ixodes auritulus, is reported for the firs t time from the east coast of the United States.