A Search for Trypanosomes in Mourning Doves

Diamond (1954) described a technique for the detection of trypanosomes in geese. We used a similar technique in the search for trypanosomes in each of 64 mourning doves (Zenaidura macroura) collected on September 1-2, 1960, 4 miles west of Celina, Denton County, Texas. The condylar surfaces of the femur, sterilized with alcohol, were removed with sterile scissors, and the marrow, forced from the femur with a hemostat, was collected with a sterile nichrome wire. The inoculum was incubated in the blood agar, broth overlay medium described by Diamond. One sample of the culture was stained on the 6th day of incubation, and a second sample was stained on the 14th day

Nasal Mites of the Mourning Dove

Crossley (1952) described a species of nasal mite, Neonyssus zenaidurae, from the mourning dove (Zenaidura macroura) collected in Texas and Georgia. In his study mites were obtained from 10 of 19 doves examined. Owen (1958) found this species of mite in mourning doves collected in Alabama. He reported an infestation of 4 out of 10 birds (average: 1.5 mites per dove), for one county; and 3 of 10 birds (average: 2.6 mites per dove) for another county. Our method of recovery was similar to that described by Owen. The nasal cavities were separated sagitally, with scissors, from the tip of the beak to the anterior region of the brain. Each half was examined under a wide-field microscope. The parasites when present were found embedded in the mucous secretions and upon the tissues of the nasal cavities. Dissecting needles were used to extricate the specimens and to place them in 70% alcohol. The mites were macerated in 20% KOH for 24 hours to remove adhering tissues. Hoyer\u27s medium is recommended for mounting; if the specimen is mounted in Hoyer\u27s medium and heated soon after the mounting procedures are complete, maceration in KOH is unnecessary

A Search for Trypanosomes in Mourning Doves

Diamond (1954) described a technique for the detection of trypanosomes in geese. We used a similar technique in the search for trypanosomes in each of 64 mourning doves (Zenaidura macroura) collected on September 1-2, 1960, 4 miles west of Celina, Denton County, Texas. The condylar surfaces of the femur, sterilized with alcohol, were removed with sterile scissors, and the marrow, forced from the femur with a hemostat, was collected with a sterile nichrome wire. The inoculum was incubated in the blood agar, broth overlay medium described by Diamond. One sample of the culture was stained on the 6th day of incubation, and a second sample was stained on the 14th day

Nasal Mites of the Mourning Dove

Crossley (1952) described a species of nasal mite, Neonyssus zenaidurae, from the mourning dove (Zenaidura macroura) collected in Texas and Georgia. In his study mites were obtained from 10 of 19 doves examined. Owen (1958) found this species of mite in mourning doves collected in Alabama. He reported an infestation of 4 out of 10 birds (average: 1.5 mites per dove), for one county; and 3 of 10 birds (average: 2.6 mites per dove) for another county. Our method of recovery was similar to that described by Owen. The nasal cavities were separated sagitally, with scissors, from the tip of the beak to the anterior region of the brain. Each half was examined under a wide-field microscope. The parasites when present were found embedded in the mucous secretions and upon the tissues of the nasal cavities. Dissecting needles were used to extricate the specimens and to place them in 70% alcohol. The mites were macerated in 20% KOH for 24 hours to remove adhering tissues. Hoyer\u27s medium is recommended for mounting; if the specimen is mounted in Hoyer\u27s medium and heated soon after the mounting procedures are complete, maceration in KOH is unnecessary