On Serratspiculum (Nematoda; Dicheilonematidae) species occurring in hunting falcons in the United Arab Emirates in respect with their origin

During two falcon seasons (2020/21 and 2021/22) we investigated Serratospiculum samples from 112 falcons and examined a total of 760 nematodes. Of the 112 falcons, there were 62 Saker (Falco cherrug), 15 Peregrine (Falco peregrinus), 11 Gyr (Falco rusticolus), 7 Lanner falcons (Falco biarmicus) and 17 hybrid falcons. In 47 samples the origin of the birds was not mentioned, 49 were from Mongolia, 6 from the UAE, 3 from the USA, 2 from Russia, 2 from the UK and one each from Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan and Germany. Three different Serratospiculum species were identified: S. seurati from 100 falcons (62 Saker, 11 Gyr, 10 Peregrine, 5 Lanner, 12 hybrid falcons, S. tendo from 10 falcons (4 Peregrine, 2 Lanner, 1 Gyr, three hybrid falcons) and S. guttatum from two falcons (one Peregrine and one hybrid falcon). The main morphological features of the three parasite species were described briefly and hosts and countries where Serratospiculum spp. were found were listed according to references.