Endoparasites of Northern Sharp-tailed Grouse, <i>Tympanuchus phasianellus phasianellus</i>, as Related to Age and Position on the Lek

Abstract

The only indication of endoparasites found in male sharp-tailed grouse collected during the breeding season from the western James Bay region of northern Ontario, Canada, were nematode eggs of an unknown species. Nematode egg loads of male sharp-tailed grouse that occupied central territories on leks (mating areas) were not significantly different from those of birds in peripheral territories, nor were they different between adult males and yearlings. Future studies of endoparasites in northern sharp-tailed grouse should consider nematodes, which have been shown to be important to survivorship of other grouse species.