Helminth infections of three species of larks (Family: Aludidae) from Golestan Province, north of Iran

In the present study helminth infections of 3 out of 17 species of wild birds in the family alaudidae of Iran, were studied. Sixty nine crested larks (Galerida cristata), 62 sky larks (Alauda arvensis) and 20 lesser short-toed larks (Calandrella rufescens) were collected from Golestan Province, north of Iran. At necropsy, internal organs were searched for helminthes. Alimentary tract and air sac were the only two infected organs. Nematodes were preserved in 75% alcohol containing 5% glycerin and were cleared in lactophenol for identification to the species. Cestodes and acanthocephalans were identified after staining with alum acetocarmine an haematoxylin respectively and mounted in Canada balsam. The prevalence of helminth infections in crested larks, sky larks and lesser short- toed larks were as follow respectively: Diplotriaena sokolowi: 1.44%, 8.6% and 0%, Raillietinagallietina: 11.44%, 1.61% and 5%, Anonchotaenia globata: 1.44%, 17.74% and 15%,Passerelpis sp.: 1.44%, 0% and 0%, Mediorynchus macranthus: 4.34%, Passerelpissp.: 4.83 and 0%. Among three species examined, sky lark was the most infected