SEROLOGIC AND PARASITOLOGICAL SURVEY OF THE ENDANGERED ATTWATERS PRAIRIE CHICKEN

Because conservation biologists have postulated that infectious diseas es may have potentiated the endangerment of the Attwater's prairie chi cken (Tympanuchus cupido attwateri), free-living prairie chickens were surveyed from all remaining populations for helminthic endoparasites and antibody against the etiological agents of nine infectious disease s. Samples from 4 of 27 adult males were positive for anti-Pasteurella multocida antibody. All other serologic tests were negative (n = 19). We identified Dispharynx nasuta, a parasite previously associated wit h disease in other grouse from North America, in one of three adult At twater's prairie chickens examined. Evidence of Trichostrongylus crama e was found for eight of nine suitable samples, which represents the f irst report of this parasite in prairie grouse. The mean intensity of ?: cramae in Attwater's prairie chicken was 1,019.3 (Range = 3-1,906; n = 3). Further work is needed to determine whether P. multocida, T. c ramae, or D. nasuta are detrimental to Attwater's prairie chicken popu lations. If so, conservation biologists could reduce the prevalence an d incidence of these parasites and potentially gain more time to addre ss the habitat conditions thought to be the ultimate cause of populati on declines.