Acuaroid nematodes in the common kestrel (Falco tinnunculus) in the south of Spain.

Abstract The prevalence, intensity and abundance of acuaroid nematodes were determined in the common kestrel ( Falco tinnunculus ) in Andalusia, Spain. Acuaroid nematodes were present in 26/41 (63.4%) of birds examined. The most common species belonged to the genus Synhimantus subgenus Synhimantus (56%): S . ( S .) laticeps (36.5%), S . ( S. ) robertdollfusi (24.3%) and a single specimen of a third, unknown, Synhimantus ( S. ) spp., unlike any other described previously (2.4%). Other species identified were Synhimantus ( Dispharynx ) spp. (2.4%), S . ( D .) nasuta (4.8%), Desportesius spinulatus (9.7%) and Skrjabinoclava spp. (2.4%). This is the first record of these three species in F . tinnunculus , but the latter two are considered to be accidental parasites in birds of prey.