''Chandlerella quiscali'', also known as the Grackle nematode, is a species of

filaria ''Filaria'' is a genus of nematodes belonging to the family Filariidae. The genus has cosmopolitan distribution. Species: *'' Filaria acutiuscula'' *'' Filaria bufonis'' *'' Filaria loliginis'' *'' Filaria martis'' *'' Filaria piscium'' ...

l nematode that parasitizes the brain of several common North American birds, namely the

grackle Grackles is the common name of any of 11 passerine birds (10 extant and one extinct) native to North and South America. They belong to various genera in the icterid family. In all the species with this name, adult males have black or mostly black ...

blue jay The blue jay (''Cyanocitta cristata'') is a passerine bird in the family Corvidae, native to eastern North America. It lives in most of the eastern and central United States; some eastern populations may be migratory. Resident populations are ...

, brown

cowbird Cowbirds are birds belonging to the genus ''Molothrus'' in the family Icteridae. They are of New World origin, and are obligate brood parasites, laying their eggs in the nests of other species. The genus was introduced by English naturalist Wil ...

, and

starling Starlings are small to medium-sized passerine birds in the family Sturnidae. The Sturnidae are named for the genus ''Sturnus'', which in turn comes from the Latin word for starling, ''sturnus''. Many Asian species, particularly the larger ones, ...

. Due to the large area covered by the combined habitats of these bird species, ''Chandlerella quiscali'' is found throughout North America. This area diversity is further aided by the fact that 98% of grackles possess this parasite, and grackles are consistently found in various North American locations.

History

This species was originally called the ''Filaria quiscali'' by its discoverer, von Linstow (1904), due to pieces of the posterior ends of females removed from the area under the pia mater of the cerebrum in grackle. In 1960, this worm was incorrectly placed in the genus '' Splendidofilaria'' by Odetoyinbo and Ulmer. Due to the fact that its esophagus and cuticle don't match those of this particular genus, it had to then be removed from this group. Anderson and Freeman correctly placed this species in the genus '' Chandlerella'' in 1969, proving that von Linstow's previous naming of the worm was indeed correct.

Effects of infection in birds

Birds that are infected by ''Chandlerella quiscali'' normally do not display symptoms, but those that do, do so in the form of torticollis or ataxia.

References

{{Taxonbar, from=Q16975603 Spirurida Parasitic nematodes of vertebrates Parasites of birds Nematodes described in 1904