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Horak IG, Boomker J, Grabovsky VI, Khokhlova IS, Junker K, Sanchez JP, Fernanda López Berrizbeitia M, Krasnov BR. Searching for common patterns in parasite ecology: species and host contributions to beta-diversity in helminths of South African ungulates and fleas of South American rodents. Int J Parasitol 2024; 54:429-439. [PMID: 38604547 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijpara.2024.04.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/16/2024] [Revised: 03/08/2024] [Accepted: 04/05/2024] [Indexed: 04/13/2024]
Abstract
We searched for common patterns in parasite ecology by investigating species and host contributions to the beta-diversity of infracommunities (=assemblages of parasites harboured by a host individual) in helminths of three species of South African ungulates and fleas of 11 species of South American rodents, assuming that a comparison of patterns in distinctly different parasites and hosts would allow us to judge the generality or, at least, commonness of these patterns. We used data on species' composition and numbers of parasites and asked whether (i) parasite species' attributes (life cycle, transmission mode, and host specificity in helminths; possession of sclerotized combs, microhabitat preference, and host specificity in fleas) or their population structure (mean abundance and/or prevalence) and (ii) host characteristics (sex and age) affect parasite and host species' contributions to parasite beta-diversity (SCBD and HCBD, respectively). We found that parasite species' morphological and ecological attributes were mostly not associated with their SCBD. In contrast, parasite SCBD, in both ungulates and rodents, significantly increased with either parasite mean abundance or prevalence or both. The effect of host characteristics on HCBD was detected in a few hosts only. In general, parasite infracommunities' beta-diversity appeared to be driven by variation in parasite species rather than the uniqueness of the assemblages harboured by individual hosts. We conclude that some ecological patterns (such as the relationships between SCBD and parasite abundance/prevalence) appear to be common and do not differ between different host-parasite associations in different geographic regions, whereas other patterns (the relationships between SCBD and parasite species' attributes) are contingent and depend on parasite and host identities.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ivan G Horak
- Department of Veterinary Tropical Diseases, University of Pretoria, Private Bag X04, Onderstepoort 0110, South Africa
| | - Joop Boomker
- Department of Veterinary Tropical Diseases, University of Pretoria, Private Bag X04, Onderstepoort 0110, South Africa
| | - Vasily I Grabovsky
- French Associates Institute for Agriculture and Biotechnology of Drylands, Jacob Blaustein Institutes for Desert Research, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, Sede Boqer Campus, 8499000, Midreshet Ben-Gurion, Israel
| | - Irina S Khokhlova
- French Associates Institute for Agriculture and Biotechnology of Drylands, Jacob Blaustein Institutes for Desert Research, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, Sede Boqer Campus, 8499000, Midreshet Ben-Gurion, Israel
| | - Kerstin Junker
- National Collection of Animal Helminths, Epidemiology, Parasites and Vectors Programme, ARC-Onderstepoort Veterinary Institute, Private Bag X05, Onderstepoort 0110, South Africa
| | - Juliana P Sanchez
- Centro de Investigaciones y Transferencia del Noroeste de la Provincia de Buenos Aires- CITNOBA (UNNOBA- UNSAdA- CONICET), Pergamino, Argentina
| | - M Fernanda López Berrizbeitia
- Programa de Conservación de los Murciélagos de Argentina (PCMA) and Instituto de Investigaciones de Biodiversidad Argentina (PIDBA)-CCT CONICET Noa Sur (Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas), Facultad de Ciencias Naturales e IML, UNT, and Fundación Miguel Lillo, Miguel Lillo 251, San Miguel de Tucumán CP 4000, Argentina
| | - Boris R Krasnov
- Mitrani Department of Desert Ecology, Swiss Institute for Dryland Environmental and Energy Research, Jacob Blaustein Institutes for Desert Research, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, Sede Boqer Campus, 8499000, Midreshet Ben-Gurion, Israel.
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Zhou S, Nian Y, Zeng Z, Han T, Liu W, Zheng K, Xiao F. Epidemiological survey and genetic diversity of Bartonella in fleas collected from rodents in Fujian Province, Southeast China. Parasit Vectors 2024; 17:264. [PMID: 38890667 PMCID: PMC11186106 DOI: 10.1186/s13071-024-06305-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/09/2024] [Accepted: 04/24/2024] [Indexed: 06/20/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Fleas, considered to be the main transmission vectors of Bartonella, are highly prevalent and show great diversity. To date, no investigations have focused on Bartonella vectors in Southeast China. The aim of this study was to investigate the epidemiological and molecular characteristics of Bartonella in fleas in Southeast China. METHODS From 2016 to 2022, flea samples (n = 1119) were collected from 863 rodent individuals in seven inland and coastal cities in Southeast China. Flea species, region, gender, host species and habitat were recorded. The DNA samples from each individual flea were screened by real-time PCR for the Bartonella ssrA gene. All positive samples were confirmed by PCR based on the presence of the gltA gene and sequenced. The factors associated with Bartonella infection were analyzed by the Chi-square test and Fisher's exact test. ANOVA and the t-test were used to compare Bartonella DNA load. RESULTS Bartonella DNA was detected in 26.2% (293/1119) of the flea samples, including in 27.1% (284/1047) of Xenopsylla cheopis samples, 13.2% (5/38) of Monopsyllus anisus samples, 8.3% (2/24) of Leptopsylla segnis samples and 20.0% (2/10) of other fleas (Nosopsyllus nicanus, Ctenocephalides felis, Stivalius klossi bispiniformis and Neopsylla dispar fukienensis). There was a significant difference in the prevalence of Bartonella among flea species, sex, hosts, regions and habitats. Five species of Bartonella fleas were identified based on sequencing and phylogenetic analyses targeting the gltA gene: B. tribocorum, B. queenslandensis, B. elizabethae, B. rochalimae and B. coopersplainsensis. CONCLUSIONS There is a high prevalence and diversity of Bartonella infection in the seven species of fleas collected in Southeast China. The detection of zoonotic Bartonella species in this study, including B. tribocorum, B. elizabethae and B. rochalimae, raises public health concerns.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shuheng Zhou
- Fujian Provincial Key Laboratory of Zoonosis Research, Fujian Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Fuzhou, Fujian, China
| | - Yuwei Nian
- Fujian Provincial Key Laboratory of Zoonosis Research, Fujian Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Fuzhou, Fujian, China
- The School of Public Health, Fujian Medical University, Fuzhou, Fujian, China
| | - Zhiwei Zeng
- Fujian Provincial Key Laboratory of Zoonosis Research, Fujian Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Fuzhou, Fujian, China
| | - Tengwei Han
- Fujian Provincial Key Laboratory of Zoonosis Research, Fujian Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Fuzhou, Fujian, China
| | - Weijun Liu
- Fujian Provincial Key Laboratory of Zoonosis Research, Fujian Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Fuzhou, Fujian, China
| | - Kuicheng Zheng
- Fujian Provincial Key Laboratory of Zoonosis Research, Fujian Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Fuzhou, Fujian, China.
- The School of Public Health, Fujian Medical University, Fuzhou, Fujian, China.
| | - Fangzhen Xiao
- Fujian Provincial Key Laboratory of Zoonosis Research, Fujian Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Fuzhou, Fujian, China.
- The School of Public Health, Fujian Medical University, Fuzhou, Fujian, China.
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3
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Wang LQ, Liu ZT, Wang JJ, Fang YH, Zhu H, Shi K, Zhang FS, Shuai LY. Complex effects of testosterone level on ectoparasite load in a ground squirrel: an experimental test for the immunocompetence handicap hypothesis. Parasit Vectors 2024; 17:164. [PMID: 38555448 PMCID: PMC10981293 DOI: 10.1186/s13071-024-06261-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/09/2024] [Accepted: 03/23/2024] [Indexed: 04/02/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND The immunocompetence handicap hypothesis suggests that males with a higher testosterone level should be better at developing male secondary traits, but at a cost of suppressed immune performance. As a result, we should expect that males with an increased testosterone level also possess a higher parasite load. However, previous empirical studies aimed to test this prediction have generated mixed results. Meanwhile, the effect of testosterone level on parasite load in female hosts remains poorly known. METHODS In this study, we tested this prediction by manipulating testosterone level in Daurian ground squirrels (Spermophilus dauricus), a medium-sized rodent widely distributed in northeast Asia. S. dauricus is an important host of ticks and fleas and often viewed as a considerable reservoir of plague. Live-trapped S. dauricus were injected with either tea oil (control group) or testosterone (treatment group) and then released. A total of 10 days later, the rodents were recaptured and checked for ectoparasites. Fecal samples were also collected to measure testosterone level of each individual. RESULTS We found that testosterone manipulation and sex of hosts interacted to affect tick load. At the end of the experiment, male squirrels subjected to testosterone implantation had an averagely higher tick load than males from the control group. However, this pattern was not found in females. Moreover, testosterone manipulation did not significantly affect flea load in S. dauricus. CONCLUSIONS Our results only lent limited support for the immunocompetence handicap hypothesis, suggesting that the role of testosterone on regulating parasite load is relatively complex, and may largely depend on parasite type and gender of hosts.
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Affiliation(s)
- Li-Qing Wang
- Grassland Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Hohhot, China
| | - Zhi-Tao Liu
- College of Life Sciences, Harbin Normal University, Harbin, China
| | - Jian-Jun Wang
- Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region Comprehensive Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Hohhot, China
| | - Yu-Han Fang
- College of Life Sciences, Huaibei Normal University, Huaibei, China
| | - Hao Zhu
- College of Life Sciences, Huaibei Normal University, Huaibei, China
| | - Ke Shi
- College of Life Sciences, Huaibei Normal University, Huaibei, China
| | - Fu-Shun Zhang
- Grassland Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Hohhot, China
| | - Ling-Ying Shuai
- College of Life Sciences, Huaibei Normal University, Huaibei, China.
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Benedek AM, Boeraș I, Lazăr A, Sandu A, Cocîrlea MD, Stănciugelu M, Cic NV, Postolache C. Effects of Season, Habitat, and Host Characteristics on Ectoparasites of Wild Rodents in a Mosaic Rural Landscape. Animals (Basel) 2024; 14:304. [PMID: 38254473 PMCID: PMC10812489 DOI: 10.3390/ani14020304] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/21/2023] [Revised: 01/09/2024] [Accepted: 01/16/2024] [Indexed: 01/24/2024] Open
Abstract
Despite the large number of studies on rodent ectoparasites-most of them vectors of epidemiologically important pathogens-infestation patterns remain poorly understood in various ecological contexts, such as the highly patchy agricultural landscapes. We aimed to relate the infestation of rodents to temporal, habitat, and host variables. We assessed the difference in parasite prevalence and mean abundance depending on host sex, age, and body weight, season, and land use intensity. Furthermore, we analysed the effect of host species abundance and the differential responses of parasites in main and minor host species. The field survey was conducted in a rural landscape in southern Transylvania (Romania) between June and September 2010-2011. We live-trapped small mammals, collected the ticks and fleas, and recorded the presence of lice and mites. Overall, we found the same infestation patterns largely reported in the literature: higher prevalence and mean abundance in heavier adult males, significant seasonality and differences among host species, and evidence of the dilution effect. The uniqueness of our study system was the negative effect of the land use intensity on the prevalence and mean abundance of parasites, explained by the highly patchy mosaic landscape.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ana Maria Benedek
- Doctoral School in Ecology, Faculty of Biology, University of Bucharest, 050095 Bucharest, Romania; (A.S.); (C.P.)
- Faculty of Sciences, Lucian Blaga University of Sibiu, 550012 Sibiu, Romania;
| | - Ioana Boeraș
- Faculty of Sciences, Lucian Blaga University of Sibiu, 550012 Sibiu, Romania;
| | - Anamaria Lazăr
- Faculty of Food and Tourism, Transylvania University of Braşov, 500036 Brașov, Romania;
| | - Alexandra Sandu
- Doctoral School in Ecology, Faculty of Biology, University of Bucharest, 050095 Bucharest, Romania; (A.S.); (C.P.)
| | - Maria Denisa Cocîrlea
- Department of Agricultural Sciences and Food Engineering, Lucian Blaga University of Sibiu, 550012 Sibiu, Romania;
- Institute for Interdisciplinary Studies and Research, Lucian Blaga University of Sibiu, 550024 Sibiu, Romania
| | - Maria Stănciugelu
- Brukenthal National Museum, Natural History Museum, 550163 Sibiu, Romania;
| | | | - Carmen Postolache
- Doctoral School in Ecology, Faculty of Biology, University of Bucharest, 050095 Bucharest, Romania; (A.S.); (C.P.)
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5
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Smith WJ, Jezierski MT, Dunn JC, Clegg SM. Parasite exchange and hybridisation at a wild-feral-domestic interface. Int J Parasitol 2023; 53:797-808. [PMID: 37474096 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijpara.2023.06.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/23/2023] [Revised: 05/27/2023] [Accepted: 06/06/2023] [Indexed: 07/22/2023]
Abstract
Interactions between wild, feral, and domestic animals are of economic and conservation significance. The pigeon Columba livia is a synanthropic species in a feral form, but it also includes the rare Rock Dove. Columba livia is an important player at the wild-domestic interface, acting as a carrier of avian diseases, and the feral form threatens Rock Doves with extinction via hybridisation. Despite its abundance, little is known about drivers of disease prevalence in C. livia, or how disease and hybridisation represent synergistic threats to Rock Doves. We focused on infection by the parasite Trichomonas, first collating prevalence estimates in domestic and free-living populations from relevant studies of C. livia. Second, we characterised variation in the diversity and prevalence of Trichomonas among three C. livia populations in the United Kingdom: a feral, a Rock Dove, and a feral-wild hybrid population. Across multiple continents, free-living pigeons had lower Trichomonas infection than captive conspecifics, but the effect was weak. Environmental factors which could impact Trichomonas infection status did not explain variation in infection among populations. Among the British populations, strain diversity varied, and there was lower parasite prevalence in Rock Doves than feral pigeons. Individual infection status was not explained by the available covariates, including hybrid score and site. The drivers of Trichomonas prevalence are unclear, perhaps due to idiosyncratic local-scale drivers. However, given the population-level variation in both infection prevalence and introgressive hybridisation, the potential combined effects could accelerate the extinction of the Rock Dove. Further study of the synergistic effects of multiple types of biotic interactions at the wild-feral-domestic interface is warranted, especially where vagile, globally distributed and superabundant animals are involved.
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Affiliation(s)
- William J Smith
- Edward Grey Institute of Field Ornithology, Department of Biology, University of Oxford, UK.
| | - Michał T Jezierski
- Edward Grey Institute of Field Ornithology, Department of Biology, University of Oxford, UK
| | - Jenny C Dunn
- School of Life and Environmental Sciences, University of Lincoln, UK; School of Biology, University of Leeds, UK
| | - Sonya M Clegg
- Edward Grey Institute of Field Ornithology, Department of Biology, University of Oxford, UK
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6
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Zduniak M, Serafini S, Wróbel A, Zwolak R. Host body mass, not sex, affects ectoparasite loads in yellow-necked mouse Apodemus flavicollis. Parasitol Res 2023; 122:2599-2607. [PMID: 37702846 PMCID: PMC10567855 DOI: 10.1007/s00436-023-07958-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/27/2023] [Accepted: 08/25/2023] [Indexed: 09/14/2023]
Abstract
We investigated the presence and potential causes of sex bias in ectoparasite infestations in the yellow-necked mouse Apodemus flavicollis. We compared the natural tick and flea burdens of male and female mice in a temperate beech forest and assessed whether the observed differences were driven by host sex or body mass. We found that males were more heavily infested by ticks compared to female mice. However, this difference was driven by host body mass, and not sex itself. Host body mass positively correlated with flea loads, but there was no evidence of sex bias in flea abundance. In addition, the abundance of both ticks and fleas infesting yellow-necked mice changed over time, both seasonally (month to month) and annually (year to year). Our results underscore the importance of the sexual size dimorphism and the parasite taxon as the primary factors that influence the occurrence of sex-biased parasitism in small mammals.
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Affiliation(s)
- Milena Zduniak
- Department of Systematic Zoology, Adam Mickiewicz University in Poznań, Uniwersytetu Poznańskiego 6, 61-614, Poznań, Poland.
| | - Sarah Serafini
- Department of Systematic Zoology, Adam Mickiewicz University in Poznań, Uniwersytetu Poznańskiego 6, 61-614, Poznań, Poland
| | - Aleksandra Wróbel
- Department of Zoology, Poznań University of Life Sciences, Wojska Polskiego 71C, 60-625, Poznań, Poland
| | - Rafał Zwolak
- Department of Systematic Zoology, Adam Mickiewicz University in Poznań, Uniwersytetu Poznańskiego 6, 61-614, Poznań, Poland
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7
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Sarid S, Naor H, Asfur M, Khokhlova IS, Krasnov BR, Kotler BP, Degen AA, Kam M, Koren L. Free-living gerbils with higher testosterone take fewer risks. Physiol Behav 2023; 269:114277. [PMID: 37352905 DOI: 10.1016/j.physbeh.2023.114277] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/03/2023] [Revised: 06/18/2023] [Accepted: 06/20/2023] [Indexed: 06/25/2023]
Abstract
Among the physiological differences between the sexes are circulating androgen levels. Testosterone (T) is an androgen that has been linked to aggression and risk-taking in male vertebrates, so that males with higher T are generally more aggressive and take more risks. In females, T is not often measured, and its relationship with behaviour has been less studied. The costs of elevated T are assumed to be higher for reproductive females, while the benefits higher for males. Here, we tested the association between endogenous T and risk-taking behaviours in both males and females under well-studied experimental settings in free-living Baluchistan gerbils (Gerbillus nanus; Gn). In addition, we experimentally elevated Gn T levels using implants and measured risk-taking behaviour. Surprisingly, we found that there were no differences in the association between T and risk-taking behaviours between males and females, and that in both sexes, Gn with higher T levels took fewer risks. We also found that Gn spent equal time foraging between risky (open habitat) and safe (under a bush) experimental food patches. We expected Gn, which are nocturnal, to take fewer risks during full moon nights, but found that Gn were more active during moon lit nights than during dark (new moon) nights. This study demonstrates that T has many functions, and that its effects are complex and often unpredictable. It also shows that hypotheses regarding the propensity to take risks under specific coverage and light regimes are not universal, and likely include variables such as species, environment, context, and predator-specific behavioural strategies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shani Sarid
- Faculty of Life Sciences, Bar Ilan University, Ramat Gan, Israel
| | - Hen Naor
- Faculty of Life Sciences, Bar Ilan University, Ramat Gan, Israel
| | - Mustafa Asfur
- Faculty of Life Sciences, Bar Ilan University, Ramat Gan, Israel
| | - Irina S Khokhlova
- Desert Animal Adaptations and Husbandry, Wyler Department of Dryland Agriculture, French Associates Institute for Agriculture and Biotechnology of Drylands, Jacob Blaustein Institutes for Desert Research, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, Midreshet Ben-Gurion, Israel
| | - Boris R Krasnov
- Mitrani Department of Desert Ecology, The Jacob Blaustein Institutes for Desert Research, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, Midreshet Ben-Gurion, Israel
| | - Burt P Kotler
- Mitrani Department of Desert Ecology, The Jacob Blaustein Institutes for Desert Research, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, Midreshet Ben-Gurion, Israel
| | - A Allan Degen
- Desert Animal Adaptations and Husbandry, Wyler Department of Dryland Agriculture, French Associates Institute for Agriculture and Biotechnology of Drylands, Jacob Blaustein Institutes for Desert Research, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, Midreshet Ben-Gurion, Israel
| | - Michael Kam
- Desert Animal Adaptations and Husbandry, Wyler Department of Dryland Agriculture, French Associates Institute for Agriculture and Biotechnology of Drylands, Jacob Blaustein Institutes for Desert Research, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, Midreshet Ben-Gurion, Israel
| | - Lee Koren
- Faculty of Life Sciences, Bar Ilan University, Ramat Gan, Israel.
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Mackenzie LS, Lambin X, Bryce E, Davies CL, Hassall R, Shati AAM, Sutherland C, Telfer SE. Patterns and drivers of vector-borne microparasites in a classic metapopulation. Parasitology 2023; 150:866-882. [PMID: 37519240 PMCID: PMC10577662 DOI: 10.1017/s0031182023000677] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/11/2023] [Revised: 07/07/2023] [Accepted: 07/07/2023] [Indexed: 08/01/2023]
Abstract
Many organisms live in fragmented populations, which has profound consequences on the dynamics of associated parasites. Metapopulation theory offers a canonical framework for predicting the effects of fragmentation on spatiotemporal host–parasite dynamics. However, empirical studies of parasites in classical metapopulations remain rare, particularly for vector-borne parasites. Here, we quantify spatiotemporal patterns and possible drivers of infection probability for several ectoparasites (fleas, Ixodes trianguliceps and Ixodes ricinus) and vector-borne microparasites (Babesia microti, Bartonella spp., Hepatozoon spp.) in a classically functioning metapopulation of water vole hosts. Results suggest that the relative importance of vector or host dynamics on microparasite infection probabilities is related to parasite life-histories. Bartonella, a microparasite with a fast life-history, was positively associated with both host and vector abundances at several spatial and temporal scales. In contrast, B. microti, a tick-borne parasite with a slow life-history, was only associated with vector dynamics. Further, we provide evidence that life-history shaped parasite dynamics, including occupancy and colonization rates, in the metapopulation. Lastly, our findings were consistent with the hypothesis that landscape connectivity was determined by distance-based dispersal of the focal hosts. We provide essential empirical evidence that contributes to the development of a comprehensive theory of metapopulation processes of vector-borne parasites.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Xavier Lambin
- School of Biological Sciences, University of Aberdeen, Aberdeen, UK
| | - Emma Bryce
- School of Biological Sciences, University of Aberdeen, Aberdeen, UK
| | - Claire L. Davies
- School of Biological Sciences, University of Aberdeen, Aberdeen, UK
| | - Richard Hassall
- School of Biological Sciences, University of Aberdeen, Aberdeen, UK
| | - Ali A. M. Shati
- School of Biological Sciences, University of Aberdeen, Aberdeen, UK
| | - Chris Sutherland
- School of Biological Sciences, University of Aberdeen, Aberdeen, UK
| | - Sandra E. Telfer
- School of Biological Sciences, University of Aberdeen, Aberdeen, UK
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9
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Ming M, Yuan S, Fu H, Li X, Zhang H, Liu T, Bu F, Wu X. Influence of biotic and abiotic factors on flea species population dynamics on Lasiopodomys brandtii. Int J Parasitol Parasites Wildl 2023; 21:185-191. [PMID: 37575662 PMCID: PMC10422677 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijppaw.2023.05.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/23/2023] [Revised: 05/18/2023] [Accepted: 05/29/2023] [Indexed: 08/15/2023]
Abstract
Brandt's Vole (Lasiopodomys brandtii) is one of the most abundant rodent species in the grasslands of Inner Mongolia, China, and one of the main carriers of Yersinia pestis, the plague bacterium. There have been several instances of plague transmission among L. brandtii, and all of their dominant flea species are known carriers of plague. Little work has been done to understand the regulation of flea abundance on L. brandtii by biotic and abiotic factors. Here, we examine the impacts of host and climate variation on flea abundance on L. brandtii in May, July, and September of 2021 in the East Ujumqin Banner, Xilinhot City, Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region. We arrived at the following conclusions: 1) There were 8 flea species representing 2 families and 5 genera collected from L. brandtii, and Frontopsylla luculenta, Neopsylla pleskei orientalis, and Amphipsylla primaris mitis were most common. 2) Host body weight, host age, season, temperature, and humidity are key factors influencing flea abundance on L. brandtii. 3) Flea species vary in their respective responses to factors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ming Ming
- College of Grassland, Resources and Environment, Inner Mongolia Agricultural University. Hohhot, China
- Key Laboratory of Grassland Rodent Ecology and Pest Controlled, Inner Mongolia. Hohhot, China
- Key Laboratory of Grassland Resources of the Ministry of Education. Hohhot, China
| | - Shuai Yuan
- College of Grassland, Resources and Environment, Inner Mongolia Agricultural University. Hohhot, China
- Key Laboratory of Grassland Rodent Ecology and Pest Controlled, Inner Mongolia. Hohhot, China
- Key Laboratory of Grassland Resources of the Ministry of Education. Hohhot, China
| | - Heping Fu
- College of Grassland, Resources and Environment, Inner Mongolia Agricultural University. Hohhot, China
- Key Laboratory of Grassland Rodent Ecology and Pest Controlled, Inner Mongolia. Hohhot, China
- Key Laboratory of Grassland Resources of the Ministry of Education. Hohhot, China
| | - Xin Li
- College of Grassland, Resources and Environment, Inner Mongolia Agricultural University. Hohhot, China
- Key Laboratory of Grassland Rodent Ecology and Pest Controlled, Inner Mongolia. Hohhot, China
- Key Laboratory of Grassland Resources of the Ministry of Education. Hohhot, China
| | - Haoting Zhang
- College of Grassland, Resources and Environment, Inner Mongolia Agricultural University. Hohhot, China
- Key Laboratory of Grassland Rodent Ecology and Pest Controlled, Inner Mongolia. Hohhot, China
- Key Laboratory of Grassland Resources of the Ministry of Education. Hohhot, China
| | - Tao Liu
- College of Grassland, Resources and Environment, Inner Mongolia Agricultural University. Hohhot, China
- Key Laboratory of Grassland Rodent Ecology and Pest Controlled, Inner Mongolia. Hohhot, China
- Key Laboratory of Grassland Resources of the Ministry of Education. Hohhot, China
| | - Fan Bu
- College of Grassland, Resources and Environment, Inner Mongolia Agricultural University. Hohhot, China
- Key Laboratory of Grassland Rodent Ecology and Pest Controlled, Inner Mongolia. Hohhot, China
- Key Laboratory of Grassland Resources of the Ministry of Education. Hohhot, China
| | - Xiaodong Wu
- College of Grassland, Resources and Environment, Inner Mongolia Agricultural University. Hohhot, China
- Key Laboratory of Grassland Rodent Ecology and Pest Controlled, Inner Mongolia. Hohhot, China
- Key Laboratory of Grassland Resources of the Ministry of Education. Hohhot, China
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10
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Smith AT, Krasnov BR, Horak IG, Ueckermann EA, Matthee S. Ectoparasites associated with the Bushveld gerbil ( Gerbilliscus leucogaster) and the role of the host and habitat in shaping ectoparasite diversity and infestations. Parasitology 2023; 150:792-804. [PMID: 37272490 PMCID: PMC10478068 DOI: 10.1017/s0031182023000562] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/29/2023] [Revised: 05/25/2023] [Accepted: 05/25/2023] [Indexed: 06/06/2023]
Abstract
Rodents are known hosts for various ectoparasite taxa such as fleas, lice, ticks and mites. South Africa is recognized for its animal diversity, yet little is published about the parasite diversity associated with wild rodent species. By focusing on a wildlife-human/domestic animal interface, the study aims to record ectoparasite diversity and levels of infestations of the Bushveld gerbil, Gerbilliscus leucogaster, and to establish the relationship between ectoparasite infestation parameters and host- and habitat factors. Rodents (n = 127) were trapped in 2 habitat types (natural and agricultural) during 2014–2020. More than 6500 individuals of 32 epifaunistic species represented by 21 genera and belonging to 5 taxonomic groups (fleas, sucking lice, ticks, mesostigmatan mites and trombiculid mites) were collected. Mesostigmatan mites and lice were the most abundant and fleas and mesostigmatan mites the most prevalent groups. Flea and mesostigmatan mite numbers and mesostigmatan mite species richness was significantly higher on reproductively active male than female rodents. Only ticks were significantly associated with habitat type, with significantly higher tick numbers and more tick species on rodents in the natural compared to the agricultural habitat. We conclude that the level of infestation by ectoparasites closely associated with the host (fleas and mites) was affected by host-associated factors, while infestation by ectoparasite that spend most of their life in the external environment (ticks) was affected by habitat type.
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Affiliation(s)
- Amber T. Smith
- Department of Conservation Ecology and Entomology, Stellenbosch University, 7602 Stellenbosch, South Africa
| | - Boris R. Krasnov
- Mitrani Department of Desert Ecology, Swiss Institute for Dryland Environmental and Energy Research, Jacob Blaustein Institutes for Desert Research, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, Sede-Boqer Campus, 84990 Midreshet Ben-Gurion, Israel
| | - Ivan G. Horak
- Department of Zoology and Entomology, Rhodes University, PO Box 94, Makhanda 6140, South Africa
| | - Eddie A. Ueckermann
- Unit for Environmental Sciences and Management, Potchefstroom Campus, North-West University, North-West, South Africa
| | - Sonja Matthee
- Department of Conservation Ecology and Entomology, Stellenbosch University, 7602 Stellenbosch, South Africa
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11
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Li G, Wang Q, Zhang M, Hu B, Han S, Xiang C, Yuan G, He H. Male-Biased Parasitism of Brandt's Voles ( Lasiopodomys brandtii) in Inner Mongolia, China. Animals (Basel) 2023; 13:ani13081290. [PMID: 37106853 PMCID: PMC10135223 DOI: 10.3390/ani13081290] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/20/2023] [Revised: 04/03/2023] [Accepted: 04/07/2023] [Indexed: 04/29/2023] Open
Abstract
The abundance and prevalence of parasitic infection often vary in different host sexes, and this phenomenon has been named sex-biased parasitism. Brandt's voles are the dominant rodent species in typical steppe habitat and are widely distributed in Inner Mongolia, China, but the prevalence of parasites in Brandt's voles are poorly reported. In this study, we investigated the prevalence of six intestinal parasites in Brandt's voles in May, June, July, and August 2022 around the Xilingol Grassland in Inner Mongolia, China. The results showed that Syphacia obvelata, Aspiculuris tetraptera, and Trichostrongylidae family were the dominant intestinal parasites in Brandt's voles that we captured in this study, and the infection rates of the three parasites were significantly higher in males than females, which showed obvious male-biased parasitism. Season and human activities such as grazing had no significant effect on the infection rates for different parasites, while the parasite reproduction level was higher when the ambient temperature was around 18 °C. Sexual size dimorphism was ubiquitous in Brandt's voles, and it was mainly manifested by the differences in body weight and length between males and females. Simple linear regression analysis showed a significant positive correlation between bodyweight and parasite infection rates, so the sex-biased parasitism in Brandt's voles could be explained by the body size hypothesis, as a larger body could provide more ecological niches for parasitic infection.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gaojian Li
- National Research Center for Wildlife-Borne Diseases, Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100101, China
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100101, China
| | - Qinghe Wang
- Nanyang Wild Animals and Plants Protection Station, Nanyang 473000, China
| | - Min Zhang
- National Research Center for Wildlife-Borne Diseases, Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100101, China
| | - Bin Hu
- National Research Center for Wildlife-Borne Diseases, Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100101, China
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100101, China
| | - Shuyi Han
- National Research Center for Wildlife-Borne Diseases, Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100101, China
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100101, China
| | - Chen Xiang
- National Research Center for Wildlife-Borne Diseases, Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100101, China
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100101, China
| | - Guohui Yuan
- National Research Center for Wildlife-Borne Diseases, Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100101, China
| | - Hongxuan He
- National Research Center for Wildlife-Borne Diseases, Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100101, China
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12
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Richards RL, Elderd BD, Duffy MA. Unhealthy herds and the predator–spreader: Understanding when predation increases disease incidence and prevalence. Ecol Evol 2023; 13:e9918. [PMID: 36969934 PMCID: PMC10037436 DOI: 10.1002/ece3.9918] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/12/2022] [Revised: 02/14/2023] [Accepted: 03/05/2023] [Indexed: 03/26/2023] Open
Abstract
Disease ecologists now recognize the limitation behind examining host–parasite interactions in isolation: community members—especially predators—dramatically affect host–parasite dynamics. Although the initial paradigm was that predation should reduce disease in prey populations (“healthy herds hypothesis”), researchers have realized that predators sometimes increase disease in their prey. These “predator–spreaders” are now recognized as critical to disease dynamics, but empirical research on the topic remains fragmented. In a narrow sense, a “predator–spreader” would be defined as a predator that mechanically spreads parasites via feeding. However, predators affect their prey and, subsequently, disease transmission in many other ways such as altering prey population structure, behavior, and physiology. We review the existing evidence for these mechanisms and provide heuristics that incorporate features of the host, predator, parasite, and environment to understand whether or not a predator is likely to be a predator–spreader. We also provide guidance for targeted study of each mechanism and quantifying the effects of predators on parasitism in a way that yields more general insights into the factors that promote predator spreading. We aim to offer a better understanding of this important and underappreciated interaction and a path toward being able to predict how changes in predation will influence parasite dynamics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Robert L. Richards
- Department of Biological SciencesLouisiana State UniversityBaton RougeLouisianaUSA
| | - Bret D. Elderd
- Department of Biological SciencesLouisiana State UniversityBaton RougeLouisianaUSA
| | - Meghan A. Duffy
- Department of Ecology & Evolutionary BiologyUniversity of MichiganAnn ArborMichiganUSA
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13
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Miljević M, Čabrilo B, Budinski I, Rajičić M, Bajić B, Bjelić-Čabrilo O, Blagojević J. Host–Parasite Relationship—Nematode Communities in Populations of Small Mammals. Animals (Basel) 2022; 12:ani12192617. [PMID: 36230358 PMCID: PMC9559639 DOI: 10.3390/ani12192617] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/30/2022] [Revised: 09/23/2022] [Accepted: 09/25/2022] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Nematode burdens and variation in morphological characteristics were assessed in eighty-eight animals from three host species (Apodemus sylvaticus, Apodemus flavicollis, and Myodes glareolus) from eight localities in Serbia. In total, 15 species of nematodes were identified, and the overall mean parasite species richness (IndPSR) was 1.61 per animal (1.98 in A. flavicollis, 1.43 in M. glareolus, and 0.83 in A. sylvaticus). Furthermore, the studied host species significantly differed in individual parasite load (IndPL) and in the following morphological characters: spleen mass, body condition index (BCI), and body mass. We aimed to analyze the relationship between the burden of intestinal nematodes, on one hand, and the body conditions of the host and its capability to develop immune defends on the other. Spleen mass was considered as a measure of immune response. In all host species, larger animals with a better condition (higher BCI) were infected with more parasites species (IndPSR), while parasite load was not related to BCI. Only in A. flavicollis were males significantly larger, but females of the same sizes were infected with more parasite species. This female-biased parasitism is contrary to the theoretical expectation that males should be more parasitized, being larger, more active, with a wider home range. Although the spleen size was significantly correlated with body condition and body mass, IndPSR was not related to spleen mass in any studied species, but in M. galareolus, we found that a smaller spleen was related to higher infection intensity (IndPL).
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Affiliation(s)
- Milan Miljević
- Department of Genetic Research, Institute for Biological Research “Siniša Stanković”—National Institute of the Republic of Serbia, University of Belgrade, Bulevar Despota Stefana 142, 11000 Belgrade, Serbia
| | - Borislav Čabrilo
- Department of Biology and Ecology, Faculty of Sciences, University of Novi Sad, Trg Dositeja Obradovića 2, 21000 Novi Sad, Serbia
| | - Ivana Budinski
- Department of Genetic Research, Institute for Biological Research “Siniša Stanković”—National Institute of the Republic of Serbia, University of Belgrade, Bulevar Despota Stefana 142, 11000 Belgrade, Serbia
| | - Marija Rajičić
- Department of Genetic Research, Institute for Biological Research “Siniša Stanković”—National Institute of the Republic of Serbia, University of Belgrade, Bulevar Despota Stefana 142, 11000 Belgrade, Serbia
| | - Branka Bajić
- Department of Genetic Research, Institute for Biological Research “Siniša Stanković”—National Institute of the Republic of Serbia, University of Belgrade, Bulevar Despota Stefana 142, 11000 Belgrade, Serbia
| | - Olivera Bjelić-Čabrilo
- Department of Biology and Ecology, Faculty of Sciences, University of Novi Sad, Trg Dositeja Obradovića 2, 21000 Novi Sad, Serbia
| | - Jelena Blagojević
- Department of Genetic Research, Institute for Biological Research “Siniša Stanković”—National Institute of the Republic of Serbia, University of Belgrade, Bulevar Despota Stefana 142, 11000 Belgrade, Serbia
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +381-112-078-331
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14
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Shuai LY, Wang LQ, Wang JJ, Xia Y, Zhai BY, Xu WJ, Chen XM, Yang XY, Zhang FS. Ecological correlates of ectoparasite load in a rodent: Complex roles of seasonality. Int J Parasitol Parasites Wildl 2022; 18:244-248. [PMID: 35800108 PMCID: PMC9253529 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijppaw.2022.06.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/04/2022] [Revised: 06/19/2022] [Accepted: 06/20/2022] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
Abstract
Understanding the mechanisms driving parasite distributions is not only important for understanding ecosystem functioning, but also crucial for disease control. Previous studies have documented the important roles of host sex, host body size, host behavioral trait (such as boldness and trappability), and seasonality in shaping parasite load. However, few studies have simultaneously assessed the roles of these factors, as well as their interactions. In spring and summer of 2021, we conducted live trapping in Hohhot, China, to collect ectoparasites on Daurian ground squirrel (Spermophilus dauricus), a small rodent widely distributed in East Asian grassland. We then used generalized linear models to explore the effects of several biological factors (sex, body weight, trappability, and reproductive status) and seasonality on the abundance of ticks and fleas in S. dauricus. Significant but inconsistent seasonal effects were observed: tick load was significantly greater in summer than in spring, while flea load was greater in spring than in summer. Seasons also significantly interacted with host trappability and body weight to affect tick abundance. Our results highlight the importance of considering seasonal changes in parasitism, as well as interactions between season and host biological traits in shaping parasite distributions. Both fleas and ticks show seasonal changes in abundance but in different directions. Relationship between host body weight and tick load changes between seasons. Effect of trappability on tick abundance depends on season.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ling-Ying Shuai
- College of Life Sciences, Huaibei Normal University, Huaibei, China
| | - Li-Qing Wang
- Grassland Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Hohhot, China
- Corresponding author.
| | - Jian-Jun Wang
- Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region Comprehensive Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Hohhot, China
| | - Yang Xia
- College of Life Sciences, Huaibei Normal University, Huaibei, China
| | - Bin-Yan Zhai
- College of Life Sciences, Huaibei Normal University, Huaibei, China
| | - Wen-Jie Xu
- College of Life Sciences, Huaibei Normal University, Huaibei, China
| | - Xing-Ming Chen
- College of Life Sciences, Huaibei Normal University, Huaibei, China
| | - Xiao-Yu Yang
- College of Life Sciences, Huaibei Normal University, Huaibei, China
| | - Fu-Shun Zhang
- Grassland Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Hohhot, China
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15
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Mallinger EC, Olson ER, Vincent GP, Van Stappen J, Van Deelen T. Factors influencing the presence of parasitic trombiculids on red-backed voles in a temperate archipelago. CAN J ZOOL 2022. [DOI: 10.1139/cjz-2021-0143] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
Abstract
Parasites can influence host population health and dynamics and are often an overlooked aspect of the ecology of ecosystems. Understanding the impacts of ecological interactions between parasites and small mammals can provide insights into ecosystem dynamics. We live trapped small mammals within the Apostle Islands archipelago (2017-2020) and assessed factors influencing the presence of mites from the Trombiculidae family. Archipelagos provide unique research opportunities because in small mammal-parasitic trombiculid systems, they are essentially closed systems. We detected trombiculids on 47% of Myodes gapperi (Vigors, 1830; red-backed vole) individuals but rarely detected trombiculids on other species. We developed and ranked a set of a priori logistic regression models of trombiculid presence relative to habitat quality, host abundance, body condition, sex, and sexual maturity to identify factors significant in predicting trombiculid infection for M. gapperi. Parasitic trombiculids were more likely when M. gapperi abundance was high and body condition was poor, however it is unknown whether trombiculids affect condition or if trombiculids are more likely to parasitize hosts in poor condition. The significance of host abundance may indicate density-dependent transmission. Our work suggests that host density and body condition are important factors influencing parasitism by trombiculids in M. gapperi populations.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Erik R Olson
- Northland College, 1341, Natural Resources, 1411 Ellis Ave, Ashland, Wisconsin, United States, 54806-3999
| | | | - Julie Van Stappen
- Apostle Islands National Lakeshore, Resource Management , Bayfield , Wisconsin, United States
| | - T.R. Van Deelen
- University of Wisconsin, Department of Wildlife Ecology, 217 Russell Labs, Madison, Wisconsin, United States, 53706,
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16
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Paul S, Khan MK, Herberstein ME. Sexual and developmental variations of ecto-parasitism in damselflies. PLoS One 2022; 17:e0261540. [PMID: 35802642 PMCID: PMC9269466 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0261540] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/30/2021] [Accepted: 06/20/2022] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
The prevalence and intensity of parasitism can have different fitness costs between sexes, and across species and developmental stages. This variation could arise because of species specific sexual and developmental differences in body condition, immunity, and resistance. Theory predicts that the prevalence of parasitism will be greater in individuals with poor body condition and the intensity of parasitism will be greater in individuals with larger body size. These predictions have been tested and verified in vertebrates. In insects, however, contradictory evidence has been found in different taxa. Here, we tested these predictions on two species of Agriocnemis (Agriocnemis femina and Agriocnemis pygmaea) damselflies, which are parasitized by Arrenurus water mite ectoparasites. We measured body weight, total body length, abdomen area and thorax area of non-parasitized damselflies and found body condition varied between males and females, between immature females and mature females and between A. femina and A. pygmaea. Then, we calculated the parasite prevalence, i.e., the absence or presence of parasites and intensity, i.e., the number of parasites per infected damselfly in eleven natural populations of both species. In line to our predictions, we observed greater prevalence in immature females than mature females but found no difference in parasite prevalence between males and females. Furthermore, we found that parasite intensity was higher in females than males and in immature females than mature females. Our result also showed that the frequency and intensity of parasitism varied between the two studied species, being higher in A. pygmaea than A. femina. Our study provides evidence that parasitism impacts sexes, developmental stages and species differentially and suggests that variation may occur due to sex, developmental stage, and species-specific resistance and tolerance mechanism.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shatabdi Paul
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Shahjalal University of Science and Technology, Sylhet, Bangladesh
- Department of Biological Science, Macquarie University, NSW, Australia
- * E-mail:
| | - Md Kawsar Khan
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Shahjalal University of Science and Technology, Sylhet, Bangladesh
- Department of Biological Science, Macquarie University, NSW, Australia
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17
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Freitas LDC, Maldonado Júnior A, Mendonça RFBD, Ramos DGDS, Rossi RV, Pacheco RDC, Gentile R. Helminth community structure of Didelphis marsupialis (Didelphimorphia, Didelphidae) in a transition area between the Brazilian Amazon and the Cerrado. REVISTA BRASILEIRA DE PARASITOLOGIA VETERINARIA = BRAZILIAN JOURNAL OF VETERINARY PARASITOLOGY : ORGAO OFICIAL DO COLEGIO BRASILEIRO DE PARASITOLOGIA VETERINARIA 2022; 31:e002922. [PMID: 35674531 DOI: 10.1590/s1984-29612022031] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/17/2022] [Accepted: 05/12/2022] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
Although the common opossum, Didelphis marsupialis (Didelphimorphia: Didelphidae) is a species widely distributed in South America, knowledge about their helminth parasites and helminth community structure is scarce. The aims of this study were to describe the species composition and analyze the structure of the helminth community of the common opossum in an area of the Amazonian Arc in northern Mato Grosso. The helminths were recovered, counted, and identified in 32 individuals. Overall, 10,198 specimens were categorized into 9 helminths taxa (seven nematodes, one cestode, and one acanthocephalan). The most abundant species were Aspidodera raillieti, Viannaia hamata, and Travassostrongylus orloffi. No statistically significant differences in helminth abundance and prevalence were observed between host sexes. However, young hosts had higher abundance and prevalence of Didelphonema longispiculata, whereas Oligacanthorhynchus microcephalus had higher abundance and prevalence in adult hosts. This was the first study to analyze the helminth fauna and helminth community structure of D. marsupialis in the Amazonian Arc. This is the first report of the presence of A. raillieti, D. longispiculata, T. orloffi, T. minuta, V. hamata, and O. microcephalus in the state of Mato Grosso, Brazil.
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Affiliation(s)
- Leodil da Costa Freitas
- Laboratório de Parasitologia Veterinária e Doenças Parasitárias dos Animais Domésticos e Silvestres, Faculdade de Medicina Veterinária - FAVET, Universidade Federal de Mato Grosso - UFMT, Cuiabá, MT, Brasil
| | - Arnaldo Maldonado Júnior
- Laboratório de Biologia e Parasitologia de Mamíferos Silvestres Reservatórios, Instituto Oswaldo Cruz - FIOCRUZ, Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brasil
| | | | - Dirceu Guilherme de Souza Ramos
- Laboratório de Patologia e Parasitologia Veterinária, Unidade Acadêmica de Ciências Veterinárias, Universidade Federal de Jataí - UFJ, Jataí, GO, Brasil
| | - Rogério Vieira Rossi
- Laboratório de Mastozoologia, Instituto de Biociências - IB, Universidade Federal de Mato Grosso - UFMT, Cuiabá, MT, Brasil
- Programa de Pós-graduação em Ecologia e Conservação da Biodiversidade - PPG/ECB, Instituto de Biociências - IB, Universidade Federal de Mato Grosso - UFMT, Cuiabá, MT, Brasil
| | - Richard de Campos Pacheco
- Laboratório de Parasitologia Veterinária e Doenças Parasitárias dos Animais Domésticos e Silvestres, Faculdade de Medicina Veterinária - FAVET, Universidade Federal de Mato Grosso - UFMT, Cuiabá, MT, Brasil
| | - Rosana Gentile
- Laboratório de Biologia e Parasitologia de Mamíferos Silvestres Reservatórios, Instituto Oswaldo Cruz - FIOCRUZ, Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brasil
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18
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Endoparasites of Wild Boars ( Sus Scrofa) in Primorsky Krai, Russia. Helminthologia 2022; 59:165-169. [PMID: 36118365 PMCID: PMC9444208 DOI: 10.2478/helm-2022-0018] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/04/2020] [Accepted: 05/15/2022] [Indexed: 11/21/2022] Open
Abstract
This study identified helminthic species among wild boars (Sus scrofa) in Primorsky Krai, Russia. In total, 66 fecal samples were taken from wild boars and examined using the floatation-sedimentation method to identify helminths eggs and protozoan cysts. Age and sex were estimated for each host animal investigated. The helminthic fauna of the wild boars examined involved six parasite genera, but 4 are helminths and 2 are protozoans: the nematodes Metastrongylus spp., Trichuris suis, Capillaria sp. and Ascaris suum; and the protozoan parasites Eimeria sp. and Cystoisospora suis. The most prevalent parasite was Metastrongylus spp. (13.6 %) followed by Trichuris suis (7.6 %). The other parasites found were Eimeria sp. (3 %), Ascaris suum (3 %), Capillaria sp. (1.5 %) and Cystoisospora suis (1.5 %). Not found positive correlation between the host’s age and sex and the parasite prevalence. This was the first detailed study on helminths infections among wild boars in Primorsky Krai.
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High Toxocara cati prevalence in wild, free-ranging Eurasian lynx (Lynx lynx) in Finland, 1999–2015. Int J Parasitol Parasites Wildl 2022; 17:205-210. [PMID: 35198374 PMCID: PMC8850750 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijppaw.2022.02.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/17/2021] [Revised: 02/06/2022] [Accepted: 02/07/2022] [Indexed: 11/21/2022]
Abstract
In Finland, free-ranging Eurasian lynx (Lynx lynx) population has grown from 30 to 40 individuals to 2800 individuals since the species became partly protected in 1962. Changes in host population size are known to have an impact on host-parasite dynamics, and the Eurasian lynx population in Finland provides a unique opportunity for studying the potential effects of dramatic population increase and expansion of a solitary apex predator on their parasite prevalence and abundance. Toxocara cati is a zoonotic gastrointestinal parasite infecting domestic cats and wild felids worldwide. We studied T. cati infection prevalence and worm burden in 2756 Eurasian lynx individuals from Finland, covering the years 1999–2015. Toxocara cati worms that had been collected from intestinal contents were identified based on morphology. We performed regression analyses to investigate possible associations of age, sex, and host population density with T. cati infection. We found T. cati from 2324 (84.3%, 95% confidence interval 82.9–86.0) of the examined lynx. Each year, the infection prevalence was higher than 75% and not density dependent. The parasites were strongly aggregated, with older individuals harboring fewer T. cati than younger ones did. Old females aged 9–15 years had higher T. cati abundance than males of the same age group. Our results indicate that T. cati was a common and abundant parasite of Eurasian lynx throughout the study period, regardless of the changing population size and density. 84% of 2756 Eurasian lynx (Lynx lynx) from Finland had Toxocara cati infection. The prevalence was high throughout 1999–2015, while lynx population size tripled. Old female lynx had significantly higher Toxocara cati abundance than old males.
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20
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Logging effects on parasitic infections in a swamp rat (Malacomys edwardsi) in West Africa. J Mammal 2021. [DOI: 10.1093/jmammal/gyab159] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Abstract
Habitat disturbance can have negative impacts on biodiversity, such as reducing species richness. The effects of habitat disturbances on parasite infections of host species, potentially altering their survival rate and thus abundance, are less well known. We examined the influence of forest logging in combination with seasonality, host abundance, host body condition, and host sex, on the community composition of gastrointestinal parasites infecting Edward’s swamp rat, Malacomys edwardsi. Community composition of parasites did not differ between logged and undisturbed sites, but the abundance of some nematodes (i.e., Ascaris and hookworm) was higher in undisturbed than logged sites. The higher abundance of these nematode species implies a changed host-parasite relationship, thus potentially influencing host persistence.
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21
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Adalid R, Feliu C, Somoano A, Miñarro M, Ventura J, Torres J, Miquel J, Fuentes MV. Ecological Analysis of the Helminth Community of Microtus lusitanicus (Gerbe, 1879) (Rodentia) in Asturias (NW Spain). Animals (Basel) 2021; 11:3055. [PMID: 34827787 PMCID: PMC8614527 DOI: 10.3390/ani11113055] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/29/2021] [Revised: 10/19/2021] [Accepted: 10/22/2021] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
The Lusitanian pine vole, Microtus lusitanicus, an endemic fossorial rodent of the Iberian Peninsula, has a burrowing behaviour and prefers to live underground. It feeds on bark and roots causing severe damage to trees. In Asturias (NW Spain), where M. lusitanicus is considered a pest in several orchards, a faunistic-ecological study was carried out to describe the helminth community of this species and the main factors that could influence its helminth component species. For this purpose, our own collection of 710 voles from several orchards of various locations in Asturias was used. Eight helminth species, four cestodes and four nematodes, were found. Statistical non-parametric tests were used to analyse the effects of extrinsic and intrinsic factors on the diversity of the helminth community and species prevalence and abundance. The results show the influence of climate variables, the year and season of capture, as well as host age, on the diversity of the helminth community and the infection parameters of some helminth species, underlining the importance of their life cycles. In addition to shedding light on the helminth community of this rodent in Asturias, the results obtained could be used to improve the biological methods applied to fight the M. lusitanicus pest.
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Affiliation(s)
- Roser Adalid
- Secció de Parasitologia, Departament de Biologia, Sanitat i Medi Ambient, Facultat de Farmàcia i Ciències de l’Alimentació, Universitat de Barcelona, Av. Joan XXIII, sn, 08028 Barcelona, Spain; (R.A.); (C.F.); (J.T.); (J.M.)
| | - Carles Feliu
- Secció de Parasitologia, Departament de Biologia, Sanitat i Medi Ambient, Facultat de Farmàcia i Ciències de l’Alimentació, Universitat de Barcelona, Av. Joan XXIII, sn, 08028 Barcelona, Spain; (R.A.); (C.F.); (J.T.); (J.M.)
- Institut de Recerca de la Biodiversitat (IRBio), Universitat de Barcelona, Av. Diagonal, 645, 08028 Barcelona, Spain
| | - Aitor Somoano
- Servicio Regional de Investigación y Desarrollo Agroalimentario (SERIDA), Ctra. AS-267, PK 19, 33300 Villaviciosa, Spain; (A.S.); (M.M.)
| | - Marcos Miñarro
- Servicio Regional de Investigación y Desarrollo Agroalimentario (SERIDA), Ctra. AS-267, PK 19, 33300 Villaviciosa, Spain; (A.S.); (M.M.)
| | - Jacint Ventura
- Departament de Biologia Animal, Biologia Vegetal i Ecologia, Facultat de Biociències, Campus de Bellaterra, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, 08193 Cerdanyola del Vallès, Spain;
- Àrea de Recerca en Petits Mamífers, Museu de Ciències Naturals de Granollers “La Tela”, C/Palaudàries, 102, 08402 Granollers, Spain
| | - Jordi Torres
- Secció de Parasitologia, Departament de Biologia, Sanitat i Medi Ambient, Facultat de Farmàcia i Ciències de l’Alimentació, Universitat de Barcelona, Av. Joan XXIII, sn, 08028 Barcelona, Spain; (R.A.); (C.F.); (J.T.); (J.M.)
- Institut de Recerca de la Biodiversitat (IRBio), Universitat de Barcelona, Av. Diagonal, 645, 08028 Barcelona, Spain
| | - Jordi Miquel
- Secció de Parasitologia, Departament de Biologia, Sanitat i Medi Ambient, Facultat de Farmàcia i Ciències de l’Alimentació, Universitat de Barcelona, Av. Joan XXIII, sn, 08028 Barcelona, Spain; (R.A.); (C.F.); (J.T.); (J.M.)
- Institut de Recerca de la Biodiversitat (IRBio), Universitat de Barcelona, Av. Diagonal, 645, 08028 Barcelona, Spain
| | - Màrius Vicent Fuentes
- Parasites and Health Research Group, Departament de Farmàcia i Tecnologia Farmacèutica i Parasitologia, Facultat de Farmàcia, Universitat de Valencia, Av. Vicent Andrés Estellés, 46100 Burjassot, Spain
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Durden LA, Kessler SE, Radespiel U, Hasiniaina AF, Stekolnikov AA, Chalkowski K, Zohdy S. Host Associations of Ectoparasites of the Gray Mouse Lemur, Microcebus murinus, in Northwestern Madagascar. J Parasitol 2021; 107:108-114. [PMID: 33567091 DOI: 10.1645/20-145] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
Eight species of ectoparasites were collected during 225 gray mouse lemur, Microcebus murinus (J. F. Miller), captures, in Ankarafantsika National Park, Madagascar, in 2010-2011. The ixodid tick, Haemaphysalis lemuris Hoogstraal, was the most common ectoparasite and was mostly represented by nymphs. Other ectoparasites recorded include the polyplacid sucking louse, Lemurpediculus madagascariensis Durden, Kessler, Radespiel, Zimmermann, Hasiniaina, and Zohdy; the ixodid tick, Haemaphysalis simplex Neumann; an undescribed laelapid mite in the genus Aetholaelaps; another laelapid belonging to the genus Androlaelaps; the chigger mite Schoutedenichia microcebi Stekolnikov; an undescribed species of atopomelid mite in the genus Listrophoroides; and an undescribed species of psoroptid mite in the genus Cheirogalalges. Except for the 2 species of ticks and 1 species of chigger, these ectoparasites may be host-specific to M. murinus. Total tick (H. lemuris and H. simplex) infestation was significantly greater in August than October, whereas louse (L. madagascariensis) infestation was significantly greater in October. There was no significant difference in tick infestations between male and female lemurs, but male lemurs had significantly more lice than female lemurs. Reproductive status was not a significant predictor of tick infestation in males and females.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lance A Durden
- Department of Biology, Georgia Southern University, 4324 Old Register Road, Statesboro, Georgia 30458
| | - Sharon E Kessler
- Department of Psychology, University of Stirling, Stirling, FK9 4LA, Scotland, United Kingdom.,Department of Anthropology, Durham University, Durham, DH1 3LE, United Kingdom
| | - Ute Radespiel
- Institute of Zoology, University of Veterinary Medicine, Buenteweg 17, 30559 Hannover, Germany
| | - Alida F Hasiniaina
- Institute of Zoology, University of Veterinary Medicine, Buenteweg 17, 30559 Hannover, Germany.,Facultés des Sciences, Technologies et de l'Environnement, Université de Mahajanga, Rue Georges V - Immeuble KAKAL, Mahajanga Be, B.P. 652, Mahajanga 401, Madagascar
| | - Alexandr A Stekolnikov
- Zoological Institute of the Russian Academy of Sciences, Universitetskaya embankment 1, 199034 Saint Petersburg, Russia
| | - Kayleigh Chalkowski
- School of Forestry and Wildlife Sciences, College of Veterinary Sciences, Auburn University, Auburn, Alabama 36849
| | - Sarah Zohdy
- School of Forestry and Wildlife Sciences, College of Veterinary Sciences, Auburn University, Auburn, Alabama 36849
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23
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Sex- and Age-Specific Effects are Superimposed on Seasonal Variation in Mite Parasitism in Eastern Fence Lizards (Sceloporus undulatus). J HERPETOL 2020. [DOI: 10.1670/18-167] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/08/2022]
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24
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López-Pérez JE, Meylan PA, Goessling JM. Sex-based trade-offs in the innate and acquired immune systems of Sternotherus minor. JOURNAL OF EXPERIMENTAL ZOOLOGY PART 2020; 333:820-828. [PMID: 33075211 DOI: 10.1002/jez.2424] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/19/2020] [Revised: 09/18/2020] [Accepted: 09/21/2020] [Indexed: 11/08/2022]
Abstract
Longevity patterns in most vertebrates suggest that females benefit most from maintenance investment. A reversed longevity pattern in loggerhead musk turtles (Sternotherus minor) allowed us to test trade-offs between maintenance and survivorship. We tested the hypothesis that the sex with greater longevity has greater maintenance than the sex with shorter longevity. We also compared the following parameters between sexes: Bactericidal ability (BA) and heterophil:lymphocyte ratios (HLR). Baseline blood samples were collected from turtles in the field; a subset of turtles was returned to a laboratory for experiments of acquired immune responses to sheep red blood cells (SRBC). We found no support for the original hypothesis of reversal in sex-dependent immune trade-offs (difference between sex SRBC titers: p = .102; interaction between treatment and sex: p = .177; difference between treatments: p < .001; effect of sex on BA: p = .830; effect of sex on HLR: p = .717). However, we did find support for sex-dependent differences in immunity in the relationship between HLR and body condition (BCI) (effect of BCI on HLR: p = .015). In field conditions, we found that males with higher body condition indices express stressed phenotypes more than males with lower body condition indices (p = .002). However, females expressed similar stress loads across all body conditions (p = .900). Testosterone concentrations were assayed in free-living turtles and were not related to any of the immune parameters. Our results suggest that the immune systems play an important role in balancing sex-specific responses to different selective pressures in S. minor.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jorge E López-Pérez
- Department of Biological Sciences, Eckerd College, Saint Petersburg, Florida, USA.,Current affiliation: Southeastern Louisiana University, Louisiana, USA
| | - Peter A Meylan
- Department of Biological Sciences, Eckerd College, Saint Petersburg, Florida, USA
| | - Jeffrey M Goessling
- Department of Biological Sciences, Eckerd College, Saint Petersburg, Florida, USA
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25
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Yin JX, Cheng XO, Luo YY, Zhao QF, Wei ZF, Xu DD, Wang MD, Zhou Y, Wang XF, Liu ZX. The relationship between fleas and small mammals in households of the Western Yunnan Province, China. Sci Rep 2020; 10:16705. [PMID: 33028907 PMCID: PMC7542161 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-020-73690-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/05/2019] [Accepted: 09/16/2020] [Indexed: 11/09/2022] Open
Abstract
The Yunnan province has one of the most serious outbreaks of the plague epidemic in China. Small mammals and fleas are risk factors for the occurrence of plague in commensal plague foci. Understanding the relationship between fleas and small mammals will help control fleas and prevent the onset of the plague. Four hundred and twenty-one small mammals, belonging to 9 species, were captured. Of these, 170 small mammals (40.4%) were found infested with fleas. A total of 992 parasitic fleas (including 5 species) were collected. The number of Leptopsylla segnis and Xenopsylla cheopis accounted for 91.03% (903/992). The final multiple hurdle negative binomial regression model showed that when compared with Rattus tanezumi, the probability of flea infestation with Mus musculus as well as other host species decreased by 58% and 99%, respectively, while the number of flea infestations of the other host species increased by 4.71 folds. The probability of flea prevalence in adult hosts increased by 74%, while the number of fleas decreased by 76%. The number of flea infestations in small male mammals increased by 62%. The number of fleas in small mammals weighing more than 59 g has been multiplied by about 4. R. tanezumi is the predominant species in households in the west Yunnan province, while L.segnis and X. cheopis were dominant parasitic fleas. There is a strong relationship between the abundance of fleas and the characteristics of small mammals (e.g. Species, age, sex, and body weight).
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Affiliation(s)
- Jia-Xiang Yin
- School of Public Health, Dali University, Dali, 671000, Yunnan Province, People's Republic of China.
| | - Xiao-Ou Cheng
- School of Public Health, Dali University, Dali, 671000, Yunnan Province, People's Republic of China
| | - Yun-Yan Luo
- School of Public Health, Dali University, Dali, 671000, Yunnan Province, People's Republic of China
| | - Qiu-Fang Zhao
- School of Public Health, Dali University, Dali, 671000, Yunnan Province, People's Republic of China
| | - Zhao-Fei Wei
- School of Public Health, Dali University, Dali, 671000, Yunnan Province, People's Republic of China
| | - Dan-Dan Xu
- School of Public Health, Dali University, Dali, 671000, Yunnan Province, People's Republic of China
| | - Meng-Di Wang
- School of Public Health, Dali University, Dali, 671000, Yunnan Province, People's Republic of China
| | - Yun Zhou
- School of Public Health, Dali University, Dali, 671000, Yunnan Province, People's Republic of China
| | - Xiu-Fang Wang
- School of Public Health, Dali University, Dali, 671000, Yunnan Province, People's Republic of China
| | - Zheng-Xiang Liu
- Yunnan Institute of Endemic Disease Control and Prevention, Dali, 671000, Yunnan Province, People's Republic of China
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26
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Medvedev SG, Sedikhin NV, Krasnov BR. Intraspecific variation of body size in fleas: effects of host sex and flea phenology. Parasitol Res 2020; 119:3211-3220. [PMID: 32888066 DOI: 10.1007/s00436-020-06867-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/14/2020] [Accepted: 08/26/2020] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
We investigated the effects of host sex and flea phenology (estimated as periods of high versus low abundance) on individual body size in four fleas of small mammals. Amalaraeus penicilliger and Ctenophthalmus uncinatus are ectoparasites of the bank vole Myodes glareolus, whereas Doratopsylla dasycnema and Palaeopsylla soricis are ectoparasites of the common shrew Sorex araneus. We found significant effects of host sex and phenology on the body size of all flea species, although there was no general trend in the directions of these effects. Larger A. penicilliger were found on female hosts, whereas larger P. soricis were found on male hosts. In the remaining species, larger fleas were collected from male hosts during periods of high abundance (male C. uncinatus and female D. dasycnema) and from female hosts during periods of low abundance (male C. uncinatus). Regarding phenology, larger fleas were recorded during periods of either high (A. penicilliger, C. uncinatus, D. dasycnema) or low (C. uncinatus, P. soricis) abundance, but this depended on flea and/or host sex. We conclude that the directions of the host sex and phenology effects varied between flea species. Furthermore, the direction of the host sex effect was mediated by the effect of phenology and vice versa.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sergei G Medvedev
- Zoological Institute, Russian Academy of Sciences, Saint Petersburg, Russia
| | - Nikolai V Sedikhin
- Zoological Institute, Russian Academy of Sciences, Saint Petersburg, Russia
| | - Boris R Krasnov
- Mitrani Department of Desert Ecology, Swiss Institute for Dryland Environmental and Energy Research, Jacob Blaustein Institutes for Desert Research, Sede Boqer Campus, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, 8499000, Midreshet Ben-Gurion, Israel.
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27
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Butler RA, Trout Fryxell RT, Houston AE, Bowers EK, Paulsen D, Coons LB, Kennedy ML. Small-mammal characteristics affect tick communities in southwestern Tennessee (USA). INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL FOR PARASITOLOGY-PARASITES AND WILDLIFE 2020; 12:150-154. [PMID: 32547921 PMCID: PMC7284121 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijppaw.2020.05.012] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/06/2020] [Revised: 05/28/2020] [Accepted: 05/29/2020] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
Abstract
Life histories can influence the degree of parasite infestations on a host. Pressures exerted on hosts based on age and sex convey varying degrees of parasite prevalence due to differences in host lifestyles, but it is not known how interactions between different host traits affect tick numbers. The objective of this study was to determine if host characteristics (e.g., age, sex, weight, and their interactions) affect the mean number of ticks found on small mammals regardless of host species or habitat. Sherman live traps were placed in forest and grass/forb habitats representative of the southeastern United States. After capture, host characteristics were recorded, and hosts were then searched for ticks. A total of 281 small mammals (148 Peromyscus leucopus, 34 P. maniculatus, 76 Sigmodon hispidus, 16 Microtus pinetorum, and 7 Ochrotomys nuttalli) and 610 ticks (488 Dermacentor variabilis, 114 Ixodes scapularis, 1 Amblyomma americanum, and 7 A. maculatum) were collected in this study. Host's age, sex, and weight affected the number of ticks collected from small mammals and significant interaction effects between host traits occurred (weight by sex, weight by age, and sex by age). For instance, female subadult rodents had significantly more ticks compared to female adults, male subadults had significantly fewer ticks compared to male adults, and the number of ticks on a host increased as host body mass increased. These results support the hypothesis that the number of ticks vary on rodent hosts based on life histories and trait interactions. Therefore, understanding the behavioral mechanisms of a host can aid in the management of parasites in the environment. Host life histories predict the number of ticks present on a rodent. Male and subadult rodents are infested with an overall greater number of ticks than females and adults. Rodents have more ticks as their weight increases. Interactions between sex and age predict the number of ticks present on a rodent.
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Affiliation(s)
- R A Butler
- Department of Biological Sciences, The University of Memphis, Memphis, TN, USA.,Department of Entomology and Plant Pathology, The University of Tennessee, Knoxville, TN, USA
| | - R T Trout Fryxell
- Department of Entomology and Plant Pathology, The University of Tennessee, Knoxville, TN, USA
| | - A E Houston
- Department of Forestry, Wildlife and Fisheries, The University of Tennessee, Knoxville, TN, USA
| | - E K Bowers
- Department of Biological Sciences, The University of Memphis, Memphis, TN, USA
| | - D Paulsen
- Department of Entomology and Plant Pathology, The University of Tennessee, Knoxville, TN, USA
| | - L B Coons
- Department of Biological Sciences, The University of Memphis, Memphis, TN, USA
| | - M L Kennedy
- Department of Biological Sciences, The University of Memphis, Memphis, TN, USA
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28
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Alonso R, Ruiz M, Lovera R, Montes De Oca D, Cavia R, Sánchez J. Norway rat (Rattus norvegicus) ectoparasites in livestock production systems from central Argentina: Influencing factors on parasitism. Acta Trop 2020; 203:105299. [PMID: 31837978 DOI: 10.1016/j.actatropica.2019.105299] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/14/2019] [Revised: 11/29/2019] [Accepted: 12/09/2019] [Indexed: 01/15/2023]
Abstract
Haematophagous ectoparasites are worldwide vectors of many zoonotic bacterial diseases, both emerging and re-emerging, whose incidences are rising. Livestock development alters different environmental characteristics such as the microclimate of a site, changing the availability, density and susceptibility of the hosts to pathogens and vectors, indirectly influencing the spread and persistence of a disease within an ecosystem. The Norway rat (Rattus norvegicus), the most abundant vertebrate pest species found on livestock farms from Argentina, is a reservoir for several important zoonotic bacteria and may harbor ectoparasite species, which act as their vectors. Even though the Norway rat is widely known for its role as an ectoparasite host, the ecological characteristics of their ectoparasite communities and the related factors with parasitism on livestock farms have never been described. In the present study, we describe the ectoparasite community in Norway rats from central Argentina livestock farms, while also depicting the influencing factors on both ectoparasite occurrence and abundance. Ectoparasites were collected from rats captured in 20 sites from Buenos Aires province, between the winter of 2016 and the summer of 2018. A total of 1441 ectoparasite individuals were collected from 159 Norway rat individuals [Total ectoparasite prevalence = 69.2%; Mean ectoparasite specimen abundance (± CI) = 9.06 ± 2.32 ectoparasite individuals per rat; Mean ectoparasite specimen intensity (±CI) = 13.10 ± 3.08 ectoparasite individuals per infested rat found]. Ectoparasite assemblage consisted of four cosmopolitan species, recognized for their sanitary relevance: mites (Laelapidae: Laelaps nuttalli and Laelaps echidninus), lice (Polyplacidae: Polyplax spinulosa) and fleas (Pulicidae: Xenopsylla cheopis). We observed higher Norway rat abundance in sites related to higher ectoparasite occurrence and abundance frequencies on the rats. Additionally, ectoparasites were more abundant on rats in warm seasons and on male individuals, over female rats. Moreover, the geographical location of the studied sites influenced the ectoparasite assemblage structure observed on the rats. This study broadens the knowledge on the role of Norway rats as zoonotic ectoparasites hosts and analyzes the drivers influencing ectoparasite occurrence and abundance on the most populated region of Argentina, which is also the region with the most intensive livestock farming. Therefore, this survey may assist in evaluating potential risks for humans and generate effective sanitary control strategies for ectoparasite-borne infectious diseases.
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29
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Feeding performance on a novel host: no adaptation over generations and differential patterns in two flea species. Parasitology 2020; 147:721-728. [DOI: 10.1017/s0031182020000244] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/29/2022]
Abstract
AbstractTo model the colonization of a novel host by fleas, Synosternus cleopatrae and Xenopsylla ramesis, we established experimental lines maintained for 15 generations on a principal or a novel host (either co-occurring with a flea or not). We compared the blood meal size and the energy expended for digestion by fleas from the 15th generation of each line on these hosts between hosts within a line and between lines within a host asking (a) whether fleas adapt to a novel host (increased blood consumption/decreased energy expended for digestion); (b) if yes, whether this adaptation leads to the loss of ability to exploit an original host, and (c) whether the success of adaptation to a novel host depends on its ecological co-occurrence with a flea. The blood consumption and digestion energetics of fleas fed on the principal host differed from those on other hosts. The effect of the principal host on feeding performance differed between fleas, with S. cleopatrae consuming less blood and expending more energy for digestion on the principal than on any other host, whereas the opposite was true for X. ramesis. No changes in feeding performance on a novel host over generations were found. We propose several explanations for the lack of adaptation to a novel host over time. We explain the poor performance of S. cleopatrae on its principal host via its immune response mounting pattern. We argue that the principal host of a parasite is not necessarily the host on which the parasite demonstrates the best performance.
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30
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Goldberg AR, Conway CJ, Biggins DE. Flea sharing among sympatric rodent hosts: implications for potential plague effects on a threatened sciurid. Ecosphere 2020. [DOI: 10.1002/ecs2.3033] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/15/2023] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Amanda R. Goldberg
- Department of Fish & Wildlife Sciences Idaho Cooperative Fish and Wildlife Research Unit University of Idaho 875 Perimeter Drive, MS 1141 Moscow Idaho 83844 USA
| | - Courtney J. Conway
- U.S. Geological Survey Idaho Cooperative Fish and Wildlife Research Unit University of Idaho 875 Perimeter Drive, MS 1141 Moscow Idaho 83844 USA
| | - Dean E. Biggins
- U.S. Geological Survey Fort Collins Science Center 2150 Centre Avenue Building C Fort Collins Colorado 80526 USA
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31
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Biggins DE, Eads DA. Prairie Dogs, Persistent Plague, Flocking Fleas, and Pernicious Positive Feedback. Front Vet Sci 2019; 6:75. [PMID: 30984769 PMCID: PMC6447679 DOI: 10.3389/fvets.2019.00075] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/24/2018] [Accepted: 02/21/2019] [Indexed: 01/21/2023] Open
Abstract
Plague (caused by the bacterium Yersinia pestis) is a deadly flea-borne disease that remains a threat to public health nearly worldwide and is particularly disruptive ecologically where it has been introduced. We review hypotheses regarding maintenance and transmission of Y. pestis, emphasizing recent data from North America supporting maintenance by persistent transmission that results in sustained non-epizootic (but variable) rates of mortality in hosts. This maintenance mechanism may facilitate periodic epizootic eruptions "in place" because the need for repeated reinvasion from disjunct sources is eliminated. Resulting explosive outbreaks that spread rapidly in time and space are likely enhanced by synergistic positive feedback (PFB) cycles involving flea vectors, hosts, and the plague bacterium itself. Although PFB has been implied in plague literature for at least 50 years, we propose this mechanism, particularly with regard to flea responses, as central to epizootic plague rather than a phenomenon worthy of just peripheral mention. We also present new data on increases in flea:host ratios resulting from recreational shooting and poisoning as possible triggers for the transition from enzootic maintenance to PFB cycles and epizootic explosions. Although plague outbreaks have received much historic attention, PFB cycles that result in decimation of host populations lead to speculation that epizootic eruptions might not be part of the adaptive evolutionary strategy of Y. pestis but might instead be a tolerated intermittent cost of its modus operandi. We also speculate that there may be mammal communities where epizootics, as we define them, are rare or absent. Absence of plague epizootics might translate into reduced public health risk but does not necessarily equate to inconsequential ecologic impact.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dean E. Biggins
- United States Geological Survey, Fort Collins Science Center, Fort Collins, CO, United States
| | - David A. Eads
- United States Geological Survey, Fort Collins Science Center, Fort Collins, CO, United States
- Department of Biology, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, CO, United States
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32
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Lydecker HW, Hochuli DF, Banks PB. Peri-urban black rats host a rich assembly of ticks and healthier rats have more ticks. Ticks Tick Borne Dis 2019; 10:749-753. [PMID: 30894289 DOI: 10.1016/j.ttbdis.2019.03.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/08/2018] [Revised: 03/08/2019] [Accepted: 03/11/2019] [Indexed: 01/08/2023]
Abstract
The black rat Rattus rattus has a distribution that includes much of Earth's terrestrial surface, and has adapted to exploit both habitats extensively modified by humans and rural habitats. Despite the fact that R. rattus are nearly ubiquitous, few studies have investigated urban or peri-urban R. rattus as potential hosts for ticks. In this study, we identified the species of ticks that parasitize R. rattus in a remnant bush area within Sydney, Australia. We then examined the relationship between ticks and R. rattus by testing several rat body characteristics as predictors of tick abundance. We show that larva and nymphs of five species of native Australian tick parasitize R. rattus in urban Australia. The most abundance species was Ixodes holocyclus, a tick of veterinary and human health concern. We found that ticks were more abundant on R. rattus in better condition, for larva and nymphs of I. holocyclus and I. tasmani. Rattus rattus supports a rich assembly of ticks in a remnant forest in urban Australia, and as the R. rattus in best condition have the most ticks, tick parasitism at the levels observed does not appear to negatively impact R. rattus. Our findings illustrate that R. rattus, and other human commensal species, may be important hosts for ticks in human modified environments.
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Affiliation(s)
- Henry W Lydecker
- School of Life and Environmental Sciences, the University of Sydney, Camperdown, Australia; Marie Bashir Institute for Infectious Disease and Biosecurity, the University of Sydney, Camperdown, Australia.
| | - Dieter F Hochuli
- School of Life and Environmental Sciences, the University of Sydney, Camperdown, Australia
| | - Peter B Banks
- School of Life and Environmental Sciences, the University of Sydney, Camperdown, Australia
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Gomes APN, Maldonado Júnior A, Bianchi RC, Souza JGR, D'Andrea PS, Gompper ME, Olifiers N. Variation in the prevalence and abundance of acanthocephalans in brown-nosed coatis Nasua nasua and crab-eating foxes Cerdocyon thous in the Brazilian Pantanal. BRAZ J BIOL 2018; 79:533-542. [PMID: 30540104 DOI: 10.1590/1519-6984.187881] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/15/2017] [Accepted: 02/20/2018] [Indexed: 11/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Host infection by parasites is influenced by an array of factors, including host and environmental features. We investigated the relationship between host sex, body size and age, as well as seasonality on infection patterns by acanthocephalan in coatis (Procyonidae: Nasua nasua) and in crab-eating foxes (Canidae: Cerdocyon thous ) from the Brazilian Pantanal wetlands. Between 2006 and 2009, we collected faecal samples from these hosts and analyzed for the presence of acanthocephalan eggs. Prevalence, abundance and intensity of eggs of acanthocephalans were calculated. Egg abundance was analyzed using generalized linear models (GLM) with a negative binomial distribution and models were compared by Akaike criteria to verify the effect of biotic and abiotic factors. Prevalence of acanthocephalans was higher in the wet season in both host species but did not differ between host sexes; however, adult crab-eating foxes showed higher prevalence of acanthocephalan eggs than juveniles. In contrast, prevalence of acanthocephalan eggs found in coatis was higher in coati juveniles than in adults. Host age, season and maximum temperature were the top predictors of abundance of acanthocephalan eggs in crab-eating foxes whereas season and host sex were predictors of egg abundance in coatis. The importance of seasonality for abundance of acanthocephalan was clear for both host species. The influence of host-related attributes, however, varied by host species, with host gender and host age being important factors associated with prevalence and parasite loads.
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Affiliation(s)
- A P N Gomes
- Laboratório de Biologia e Parasitologia de Mamíferos Silvestre Reservatórios, Instituto Oswaldo Cruz - IOC, Fundação Oswaldo Cruz - FIOCRUZ, Avenida Brasil, 4365, Manguinhos, CEP 21045-900, Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brasil.,Programa de Pós-graduação em Biologia Parasitária, Instituto Oswaldo Cruz - IOC, Fundação Oswaldo Cruz - FIOCRUZ, Avenida Brasil, 4365, Manguinhos, CEP 21045-900, Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brasil
| | - A Maldonado Júnior
- Laboratório de Biologia e Parasitologia de Mamíferos Silvestre Reservatórios, Instituto Oswaldo Cruz - IOC, Fundação Oswaldo Cruz - FIOCRUZ, Avenida Brasil, 4365, Manguinhos, CEP 21045-900, Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brasil
| | - R C Bianchi
- Laboratório de Ecologia de Mamíferos, Faculdade de Ciências Agrárias e Veterinária, Departamento de Biologia Aplicada à Agropecuária, Universidade Estadual Paulista "Júlio de Mesquita Filho" - UNESP, Via de Acesso Prof. Paulo Donato Castellane, s/n, CEP 14884-900, Jaboticabal, SP, Brasil
| | - J G R Souza
- Laboratório de Biologia e Parasitologia de Mamíferos Silvestre Reservatórios, Instituto Oswaldo Cruz - IOC, Fundação Oswaldo Cruz - FIOCRUZ, Avenida Brasil, 4365, Manguinhos, CEP 21045-900, Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brasil
| | - P S D'Andrea
- Laboratório de Biologia e Parasitologia de Mamíferos Silvestre Reservatórios, Instituto Oswaldo Cruz - IOC, Fundação Oswaldo Cruz - FIOCRUZ, Avenida Brasil, 4365, Manguinhos, CEP 21045-900, Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brasil
| | - M E Gompper
- School of Natural Resources, University of Missouri, 302 Anheuser-Busch Natural Resources Building, Columbia, MO 65211, United States of America
| | - N Olifiers
- Laboratório de Biologia e Parasitologia de Mamíferos Silvestre Reservatórios, Instituto Oswaldo Cruz - IOC, Fundação Oswaldo Cruz - FIOCRUZ, Avenida Brasil, 4365, Manguinhos, CEP 21045-900, Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brasil.,Universidade Veiga de Almeida - UVA, Rua Ibituruna, 108, Maracanã, CEP 20271-020, Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brasil
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Lamattina D, Costa SA, Arrabal JP, Venzal JM, Guglielmone AA, Nava S. Factors associated with hard tick (Acari: Ixodidae) parasitism in medium-sized mammals in the Atlantic Rainforest region of Argentina. Ticks Tick Borne Dis 2018; 9:1451-1458. [DOI: 10.1016/j.ttbdis.2018.06.009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/18/2017] [Revised: 05/30/2018] [Accepted: 06/22/2018] [Indexed: 11/24/2022]
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Ancillotto L, Studer V, Howard T, Smith VS, McAlister E, Beccaloni J, Manzia F, Renzopaoli F, Bosso L, Russo D, Mori E. Environmental drivers of parasite load and species richness in introduced parakeets in an urban landscape. Parasitol Res 2018; 117:3591-3599. [PMID: 30167793 DOI: 10.1007/s00436-018-6058-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/07/2018] [Accepted: 08/15/2018] [Indexed: 11/24/2022]
Abstract
Introduced species represent a threat to native wildlife worldwide, due to predation, competition, and disease transmission. Concurrent introduction of parasites may also add a new dimension of competition, i.e. parasite-mediated competition, through spillover and spillback dynamics. Urban areas are major hotspots of introduced species, but little is known about the effects of urban habitat structure on the parasite load and diversity of introduced species. Here, we investigated such environmental effects on the ectoparasite load, richness, and occurrence of spillback in two widespread invasive parakeets, Psittacula krameri and Myiopsitta monachus, in the metropolitan area of Rome, central Italy. We tested 231 parakeets and found that in both species parasite load was positively influenced by host abundance at local scale, while environmental features such as the amount of natural or urban habitats, as well as richness of native birds, influenced parasite occurrence, load, and richness differently in the two host species. Therefore, we highlight the importance of host population density and habitat composition in shaping the role of introduced parakeets in the spread of both native and introduced parasites, recommending the monitoring of urban populations of birds and their parasites to assess and manage the potential occurrence of parasite-mediated competition dynamics as well as potential spread of vector-borne diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- L Ancillotto
- Wildlife Research Unit, Dipartimento di Agraria, Università degli Studi di Napoli Federico II, Naples, Italy
| | - V Studer
- Centro Recupero Fauna Selvatica Lipu Roma, Rome, Italy
| | - T Howard
- Department of Life Sciences, Natural History Museum of London, London, UK
| | - V S Smith
- Department of Life Sciences, Natural History Museum of London, London, UK
| | - E McAlister
- Department of Life Sciences, Natural History Museum of London, London, UK
| | - J Beccaloni
- Department of Life Sciences, Natural History Museum of London, London, UK
| | - F Manzia
- Centro Recupero Fauna Selvatica Lipu Roma, Rome, Italy
| | - F Renzopaoli
- Centro Recupero Fauna Selvatica Lipu Roma, Rome, Italy
| | - L Bosso
- Wildlife Research Unit, Dipartimento di Agraria, Università degli Studi di Napoli Federico II, Naples, Italy
| | - D Russo
- Wildlife Research Unit, Dipartimento di Agraria, Università degli Studi di Napoli Federico II, Naples, Italy. .,School of Biological Sciences, University of Bristol, 24 Tyndall Avenue, Bristol, BS8 1TQ, UK.
| | - E Mori
- Dipartimento di Scienze della Vita, Università degli Studi di Siena, Via P.A. Mattioli 4, 53100, Siena, Italy.,Accademia Nazionale dei Lincei, Palazzo Corsini, Via della Lungara 10, 00165, Rome, Italy
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Diplock N, Johnston K, Mellon A, Mitchell L, Moore M, Schneider D, Taylor A, Whitney J, Zegar K, Kioko J, Kiffner C. Large mammal declines and the incipient loss of mammal-bird mutualisms in an African savanna ecosystem. PLoS One 2018; 13:e0202536. [PMID: 30153277 PMCID: PMC6112642 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0202536] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/02/2018] [Accepted: 08/03/2018] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Over the past half-century, large mammal populations have declined substantially throughout East Africa, mainly due to habitat loss and unsustainable direct exploitation. While it has been acknowledged that the loss of large mammals can have direct and cascading effects on community composition and ecosystem characteristics, limited quantitative work has been done on how declines of large herbivore populations impacts the abundance of mutualistic symbionts. Using a space-for-time observational approach, we quantified the large mammal community alongside the densities, host preferences and behaviors of mutualistic red-billed oxpeckers (Buphagus erythrorhynchus), and yellow-billed oxpeckers (Buphagus africanus) in northern Tanzania. At the landscape scale, mammal community composition was substantially less diverse in highly human-dominated areas when compared with more protected areas, with an observed complete loss of large wild mammal species in two study areas. Mirroring this trend, oxpecker densities were lowest in the least protected areas, and highest in fully protected areas. Using resource selection functions implemented via generalized linear models at different scales, we found that oxpeckers (1) were predominantly (67% of red-billed oxpeckers; 70% of yellow-billed oxpeckers) feeding on larger (between 500kg and 1500kg) ungulate host species within the mammal community, (2) usually preferred feeding on larger individuals (adults and males) within a specific host species population, and (3) preferred hosts that were more tolerant of their presence. In particular, cattle were especially intolerant of oxpecker presence and were relatively effective in displacing oxpeckers. We found little evidence that oxpecker feeding was parasitic across all host species; wound feeding was only observed on giraffe, comprising 6% and 4% of feeding behavior in red-billed and yellow-billed oxpeckers respectively. Thus, a loss of large-bodied and oxpecker tolerant host species is a likely explanation for declines of oxpecker populations in human dominated landscapes, which may have further cascading effects.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nathan Diplock
- Center for Wildlife Management Studies, The School for Field Studies, Karatu, Tanzania
| | - Kate Johnston
- Department of Biology, Augsburg University, Minneapolis, Minnesota, United States of America
| | - Antoine Mellon
- Department of Biological Sciences, Southern Methodist University, Dallas, Texas, United States of America
| | - Laura Mitchell
- Department of Biology, University of Vermont, Burlington, Vermont, United States of America
| | - Madison Moore
- Department of Biological Foundations of Behavior, Franklin and Marshall College, Lancaster, Pennsylvania, United States of America
| | - Daniel Schneider
- Department of Environmental Science, Muhlenberg College, Allentown, Pennsylvania, United States of America
| | - Alyssa Taylor
- Department of Biology, Elizabethtown College, Elizabethtown, Pennsylvania, United States of America
| | - Jess Whitney
- Department of Environmental Conservation, University of Massachusetts, Amherst, Massachusetts, United States of America
| | - Kera Zegar
- College of the Environment, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington, United States of America
| | - John Kioko
- Center for Wildlife Management Studies, The School for Field Studies, Karatu, Tanzania
| | - Christian Kiffner
- Center for Wildlife Management Studies, The School for Field Studies, Karatu, Tanzania
- * E-mail:
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Unraveling behavioral and pace-of-life syndromes in a reduced parasite and predation pressure context: personality and survival of the Barbary ground squirrel. Behav Ecol Sociobiol 2018. [DOI: 10.1007/s00265-018-2549-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
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Is there a Host Sex Bias in Intestinal Nematode Parasitism of the Yellow-necked Mouse ( Apodemus Flavicollis) at Obedska Bara Pond, Serbia? Helminthologia 2018; 55:247-250. [PMID: 31662653 PMCID: PMC6662012 DOI: 10.2478/helm-2018-0018] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/02/2018] [Accepted: 04/24/2018] [Indexed: 11/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Fifty-one yellow-necked mice from the Obedska bara locality were analysed for the presence of intestinal nematode parasites in order to assert whether there was a host sex bias in infection. Previous research indicated that males would be the more infected sex, either due to the immunosuppressive effect of testosterone or their different allocation of resources towards immune defence. Quantitative infection parameters were compared between host sexes for all nematode species and nematodes in general. In addition, the influence of host sex, age, total body length, body mass and presence of other nematode species on parasite abundance was analysed. No statistically significant differences between males and females were noted for any of the studied quantitative parameters, leading to an absence of sex-biased parasitism in this study.
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Host B chromosomes as potential sex ratio distorters of intestinal nematode infrapopulations in the yellow-necked mouse (Apodemus flavicollis). J Helminthol 2018; 93:552-558. [PMID: 30001752 DOI: 10.1017/s0022149x18000548] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/07/2022]
Abstract
The yellow-necked mouse, Apodemus flavicollis, can be considered as a model for genetic polymorphism produced by the frequent presence of supernumerary or B chromosomes (Bs). Host genetic background is rarely taken into account in studies of parasite sex ratio. The main aim of this study was to investigate the range of infrapopulation sex ratios for nematode parasites of the yellow-necked mouse and to determine which factors most influence variation in parasite sex ratios. Six nematode species found in the collected yellow-necked mice were analysed. We confirmed the predominant pattern of female-biased sex ratios in vertebrate parasite infrapopulations. The presence of B chromosomes in host genomes played an important role in infrapopulations of Heligmosomoides polygyrus, Syphacia stroma and Trichuris muris, as hosts with B chromosomes carried a higher proportion of males. The relative increase of males in infrapopulations could result from a shift in parasite life history strategy, induced by adaptation to the specific host genotypes (Bs present). In a meta-analysis with previously published data, the sex determination system was demonstrated to play a significant role in nematode sex ratio variation, as well as specific life history patterns, such as the place of egg hatching.
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khosravani M. The fauna and perspective of rodentia ectoparasites in Iran relying on their roles within public health and veterinary characteristics. J Parasit Dis 2018; 42:1-18. [PMID: 29491552 PMCID: PMC5825361 DOI: 10.1007/s12639-017-0959-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/13/2017] [Accepted: 09/22/2017] [Indexed: 11/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Historically, rodents-ectoparasites are responsible for many diseases in human and domestic animal communities because they are well-adapted to the environment and nutritional resources. In addition, ectoparasites can affect the reproductive rates, ecological fitness and the dispersal pattern of their hosts. Data was compiled through all publications relating to ectoparasites fauna from Iranian rodents. Host specificity, rodent-parasites interaction, geographical distribution, ecological trends as well as the medical or veterinary importance of ectoparasites are considered in this review. Also, results compared with other equal global findings. According to the obtained information, the genus Hyalomma considered being the major vector of Crimean-Congo hemorrhagic fever. Sistan-Balouchistan, Isfahan, Fars and Khuzestan are endemic provinces of this disease in Iran. Ixodes ticks (especially Hyalomma spp.) commonly existed throughout the months but had high activity in spring and late autumn seasons. Muridae as the most diversified rodent family was more reiterated exploited host by all parasites in this knowledge. Tatera indica confirmed as a positive host for Francisella tularensis by serological test but the definitive reservoir is still unclear in Iran. Meriones persicus as a nocturnal jird has been permanently presented in semi-desert areas except Dasht-e Kavir desert. This rodent was the frequent host for Pulicid fleas followed by Mus musculus and Cricetulus migratorius (Cricetidae). Rattus norvegicus was specialized host for Polyplax spinulosa (spiny rat louse). Pulex irritans from Pulicidae was spread in particularly west of Iran which known as an endemic focus of plague. Mites were high diversity than other taxa. The domestic vertebrates (sheep, goat and cattle) were primitive hosts and rodents were discovered as auxiliary hosts for ticks in Iran apparently. The available data suggested that lice had a type of model of host specificity due to their morphological traits. Meanwhile, Alborz and Zagros mountains ranges provided the specialized habitats for animals which have been surrounded by northern and western regions. Perhaps these mountainous areas can prevent gene flow between local mammalian populations. Notably, the genealogy of parasite genome can orient toward the evolutionary process into speciation point. In general, more researches are needed to decipher the whole sights of host-parasite association and the role of ectoparasites within zoonosis diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mousa khosravani
- Department of Medical Entomology and Vector Control, School of Health, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, P.O. Box 71645-111, Shiraz, Fars Province Iran
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Effects of acaricide treatment and host intrinsic factors on tick acquisition and mortality in Boran cattle. Parasitol Res 2017; 116:3163-3173. [PMID: 28983669 DOI: 10.1007/s00436-017-5633-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/08/2017] [Accepted: 09/22/2017] [Indexed: 10/18/2022]
Abstract
Ticks and associated pathogens pose serious threats to the health of livestock. To assess the efficacy of acaricide dip treatment (cypermethrin, chlorpyrifos, piperonyl butoxide, citronella), we assessed post-treatment tick acquisition and tick mortality of free-ranging Boran cattle inhabiting a wildlife-cattle ranch in Northern Tanzania. Because host intrinsic variables and exposure to ticks may substantially affect tick acquisition, we incorporated host sex, body mass, health condition, and distance traveled in models of tick acquisition. Using generalized linear mixed models that accounted for non-independence of individuals, we found that tick species richness increased with host body mass but was not significantly related to other factors. In contrast, tick abundance increased with time since acaricide treatment, was positively correlated with host body mass, and was higher in female than male cattle. Distance traveled and health condition did not predict tick acquisition. Overall, these patterns were similar when separately analyzing acquisition of the more common tick species (Rhipicephalus pulchellus, R. sanguineus sensu lato, and R. praetextatus). Logistic regression models suggested that tick mortality was high for a few days after acaricide dip treatment but declined steeply post-treatment; 3.5 days after treatment, only 50% of ticks were dead, and mortality declined further thereafter. Our results provide new information regarding tick acquisition patterns in this system including female-biased tick parasitism and support for the hypothesis that increased host body mass provides greater resources and thus supports higher ectoparasite abundance and species richness. The limited acaricide duration of action and effectiveness on all tick species calls for adjusting tick management practices.
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Szentiványi T, Vincze O, Estók P. Density-dependent sex ratio and sex-specific preference for host traits in parasitic bat flies. Parasit Vectors 2017; 10:405. [PMID: 28851414 PMCID: PMC5576251 DOI: 10.1186/s13071-017-2340-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/17/2017] [Accepted: 08/17/2017] [Indexed: 11/25/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Deviation of sex ratios from unity in wild animal populations has recently been demonstrated to be far more prevalent than previously thought. Ectoparasites are prominent examples of this bias, given that their sex ratios vary from strongly female- to strongly male-biased both among hosts and at the metapopulation level. To date our knowledge is very limited on how and why these biased sex ratios develop. It was suggested that sex ratio and sex-specific aggregation of ectoparasites might be shaped by the ecology, behaviour and physiology of both hosts and their parasites. Here we investigate a highly specialised, hematophagous bat fly species with strong potential to move between hosts, arguably limited inbreeding effects, off-host developmental stages and extended parental care. Results We collected a total of 796 Nycteribia kolenatii bat flies from 147 individual bats using fumigation and subsequently determined their sex. We report a balanced sex ratio at the metapopulation level and a highly variable sex ratio among infrapopulations ranging from 100% male to 100% female. We show that infrapopulation sex ratio is not random and is highly correlated with infrapopulation size. Sex ratio is highly male biased in small and highly female biased in large infrapopulations. We show that this pattern is most probably the result of sex-specific preference in bat flies for host traits, most likely combined with a higher mobility of males. We demonstrate that female bat flies exert a strong preference for high host body condition and female hosts, while the distribution of males is more even. Conclusions Our results suggest that locally biased sex ratios can develop due to sex-specific habitat preference of parasites. Moreover, it is apparent that the sex of both hosts and parasites need to be accounted for when a better understanding of host-parasite systems is targeted. Electronic supplementary material The online version of this article (doi:10.1186/s13071-017-2340-0) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tamara Szentiványi
- Department of Evolutionary Zoology and Human Biology, University of Debrecen, Egyetem tér 1, H-4032, Debrecen, H-4032, Hungary. .,Department of Ecology and Evolution, University of Lausanne, Biophore, CH-1015, Lausanne, Switzerland. .,Museum of Zoology, Palais de Rumine, Place de la Riponne 6, CH-1014, Lausanne, Switzerland.
| | - Orsolya Vincze
- Department of Evolutionary Zoology and Human Biology, MTA-DE "Lendület" Behavioural Ecology Research Group, University of Debrecen, Debrecen, H-4032, Hungary.,Hungarian Department of Biology and Ecology, Evolutionary Ecology Group, Babeş-Bolyai University, RO-400006, Cluj-Napoca, Romania
| | - Péter Estók
- Department of Zoology, Eszterházy Károly University, Eger, H-3300, Hungary
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Korine C, Pilosof S, Gross A, Morales-Malacara JB, Krasnov BR. The effect of water contamination and host-related factors on ectoparasite load in an insectivorous bat. Parasitol Res 2017; 116:2517-2526. [PMID: 28735468 DOI: 10.1007/s00436-017-5561-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/18/2017] [Accepted: 07/12/2017] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
We examined the effects of sex, age, and reproductive state of the insectivorous bat Pipistrellus kuhlii on the abundance and prevalence of arthropod ectoparasites (Macronyssidae and Cimicidae) in habitats with either sewage-polluted or natural bodies of water, in the Negev Desert, Israel. We chose water pollution as an environmental factor because of the importance of water availability in desert environments, particularly for P. kuhlii, which needs to drink on a daily basis. We predicted that parasite infestation rates would be affected by both environment and demographic cohort of the host. We found that female bats in the polluted site harbored significantly more mites than female bats in the natural site and that juveniles in the polluted site harbored significantly more cimicid individuals than juveniles in the natural site. We further found that age and sex (host-related factors) affected ectoparasite prevalence and intensity (i.e., the abundance of parasites) in the polluted site. Our results may suggest that the interaction between host-related and environment-related factors affected parasite infestations, with females and young bats being more susceptible to ectoparasites when foraging over polluted water. This effect may be particularly important for bats that must drink or forage above water for other wildlife that depend on drinking water for survival.
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Affiliation(s)
- Carmi Korine
- Mitrani Department of Desert Ecology, Swiss Institute for Dryland Environmental and Energy Research, Jacob Blaustein Institutes for Desert Research, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, Sede Boqer Campus, Midreshet Ben-Gurion, 8499000, Beersheba, Israel.
| | - Shai Pilosof
- Mitrani Department of Desert Ecology, Swiss Institute for Dryland Environmental and Energy Research, Jacob Blaustein Institutes for Desert Research, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, Sede Boqer Campus, Midreshet Ben-Gurion, 8499000, Beersheba, Israel
| | - Amit Gross
- Department of Environmental Hydrology and Microbiology, Zuckerberg Institute for Water Research, Jacob Blaustein Institutes for Desert Research, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, Sede Boqer Campus, Midreshet Ben-Gurion, 8499000, Beersheba, Israel
| | - Juan B Morales-Malacara
- Laboratorio Espeleobiología y Acarología, Unidad Multidisciplinaria de Docencia e Investigación, Facultad de Ciencias, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Campus Juriquilla, Boulevard Juriquilla 3001, 76230, Querétaro, C.P., Mexico
| | - Boris R Krasnov
- Mitrani Department of Desert Ecology, Swiss Institute for Dryland Environmental and Energy Research, Jacob Blaustein Institutes for Desert Research, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, Sede Boqer Campus, Midreshet Ben-Gurion, 8499000, Beersheba, Israel
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Messika I, Garrido M, Kedem H, China V, Gavish Y, Dong Q, Fuqua C, Clay K, Hawlena H. From endosymbionts to host communities: factors determining the reproductive success of arthropod vectors. Oecologia 2017; 184:859-871. [PMID: 28721523 DOI: 10.1007/s00442-017-3906-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/13/2016] [Accepted: 06/20/2017] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
Abstract
Elucidating the factors determining reproductive success has challenged scientists since Darwin, but the exact pathways that shape the evolution of life history traits by connecting extrinsic (e.g., landscape structure) and intrinsic (e.g., female's age and endosymbionts) factors and reproductive success have rarely been studied. Here we collected female fleas from wild rodents in plots differing in their densities and proportions of the most dominant rodent species. We then combined path analysis and model selection approaches to explore the network of effects, ranging from micro to macroscales, determining the reproductive success of these fleas. Our results suggest that female reproductive success is directly and positively associated with their infection by Mycoplasma bacteria and their own body mass, and with the rodent species size and total density. In addition, we found evidence for indirect effects of rodent sex and rodent community diversity on female reproductive success. These results highlight the importance of exploring interrelated factors across organization scales while studying the reproductive success of wild organisms, and they have implications for the control of vector-borne diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Irit Messika
- Department of Life Sciences, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, Beer-Sheva, Israel
| | - Mario Garrido
- Mitrani Department of Desert Ecology, Swiss Institute for Dryland Environmental and Energy Research, Jacob Blaustein Institutes for Desert Research, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, 84990, Midreshet Ben-Gurion, Israel
| | - Hadar Kedem
- Department of Life Sciences, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, Beer-Sheva, Israel
| | - Victor China
- Department of Zoology, Faculty of Life Sciences, Tel-Aviv University, Tel-Aviv, Israel
- The Inter-University Institute for Marine Sciences, Eilat, Israel
| | - Yoni Gavish
- Faculty of Biological Sciences, School of Biology, University of Leeds, Leeds, UK
| | - Qunfeng Dong
- Department of Public Health Sciences, Center for Biomedical Informatics, Stritch School of Medicine, Loyola University Chicago, Chicago, IL, USA
| | - Clay Fuqua
- Department of Biology, Indiana University, Bloomington, IN, USA
| | - Keith Clay
- Department of Biology, Indiana University, Bloomington, IN, USA
| | - Hadas Hawlena
- Mitrani Department of Desert Ecology, Swiss Institute for Dryland Environmental and Energy Research, Jacob Blaustein Institutes for Desert Research, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, 84990, Midreshet Ben-Gurion, Israel.
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Cevidanes A, Altet L, Chirife AD, Proboste T, Millán J. Drivers of Bartonella infection in micromammals and their fleas in a Mediterranean peri-urban area. Vet Microbiol 2017; 203:181-188. [PMID: 28619142 DOI: 10.1016/j.vetmic.2017.03.023] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/03/2016] [Revised: 03/10/2017] [Accepted: 03/13/2017] [Indexed: 01/14/2023]
Abstract
People living at the human/wildlife interface are at risk of becoming infected with Bartonella for which micromammals act as reservoir. We aimed to determine the factors related to the prevalence of Bartonella and its haplotype diversity in micromammals and in their fleas in a Mediterranean peri-urban environment. We analyzed 511 micromammals, chiefly 407 wood mice (Apodemus sylvaticus), captured into Barcelona metropolitan area (Spain) in spring and autumn from 2011 to 2013 in two natural and two adjacent residential areas, their fleas (grouped in 218 monospecific pools) and 29 fetuses from six Bartonella-positive female wood mice. Amplification of a fragment of ITS was carried out by real time PCR. Prevalence was 49% (57% in the dominant species, the wood mouse), and 12 haplotypes were detected. In general, prevalence was higher in those hosts more heavily infested by fleas, coincident with higher rates of capture, in autumn than in spring, and in adults than in juveniles. Prevalence did not differ between natural and residential areas except for one prevalent haplotype, which was more frequent in natural areas. Prevalence in flea pools (58%) was only explained by Bartonella occurrence in the pool host. In 56.4% of the flea pools with identified Bartonella haplotypes, we found the same haplotype in the host and in its flea pool. Prevalence in wood mouse fetuses was 69%, with at least one infected fetus in all litters, and two litters with all the fetuses infected. indicating that vertical transmission might be important in Bartonella epidemiology in the wood mouse. There is a hazard of Bartonella infection for people living in residential areas and those visiting peri-urban natural areas in Barcelona.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aitor Cevidanes
- PhD Program in Conservation Medicine, Facultad de Ecología y Recursos Naturales, Universidad Andres Bello, República 252, Santiago, Chile.
| | - Laura Altet
- Vetgenomics, Edificio Eureka, Research Facilities, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Bellaterra, 08193, Spain
| | - Andrea D Chirife
- Facultad de Ecología y Recursos Naturales, Universidad Andres Bello, República 252, Santiago, Chile
| | - Tatiana Proboste
- School of Veterinary Science, University of Queensland, Gatton, Queensland, Australia
| | - Javier Millán
- Facultad de Ecología y Recursos Naturales, Universidad Andres Bello, República 252, Santiago, Chile.
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Bobbie CB, Schmidt E, Foley J, Schulte-Hostedde AI. The presence of parasitic mites on small mammals in Algonquin Provincial Park, Ontario, Canada. CAN J ZOOL 2017. [DOI: 10.1139/cjz-2016-0085] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
Abstract
Here we identify, for the first time, a generalist orange parasitic mite found on multiple small-mammal species in Algonquin Provincial Park, Ontario, Canada. Results from 18S rRNA sequencing suggest that these mites may belong to the family Trombiculidae (Acari: Trombidiformes), although morphological and additional genetic analyses are needed to confirm this identification. The presence of these mites was associated with lower body condition in North American red squirrels (Tamiasciurus hudsonicus (Erxleben, 1777)), suggesting that these mites may be a detriment to fitness in small mammals or are more successful when targeting individuals in poorer condition. A lack of sex-biased host infection, emergence dates outside of the host reproductive season, and stability of mite prevalence across study years indicate mite population dynamics may be driven predominantly by factors external from host status, such as climatic conditions or habitat preference. Future research should focus on providing additional reliable identification of these mites, as well as broadening our knowledge on their range, pathogenicity, and impact on small-mammal community dynamics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Colleen B. Bobbie
- Department of Biology, Laurentian University, 935 Ramsey Lake Road, Sudbury, ON P3E 2C6, Canada
| | - Elliott Schmidt
- Department of Biology, Laurentian University, 935 Ramsey Lake Road, Sudbury, ON P3E 2C6, Canada
| | - Janet Foley
- Department of Medicine and Epidemiology, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of California, Davis, CA 95616, USA
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Host social organization and mating system shape parasite transmission opportunities in three European bat species. Parasitol Res 2016; 116:589-599. [PMID: 27858154 PMCID: PMC5258804 DOI: 10.1007/s00436-016-5323-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/24/2016] [Accepted: 11/04/2016] [Indexed: 11/24/2022]
Abstract
For non-mobile parasites living on social hosts, infection dynamics are strongly influenced by host life history and social system. We explore the impact of host social systems on parasite population dynamics by comparing the infection intensity and transmission opportunities of three mite species of the genus Spinturnix across their three European bat hosts (Myotis daubentonii, Myotis myotis, Myotis nattereri) during the bats’ autumn mating season. Mites mainly reproduce in host maternity colonies in summer, but as these colonies are closed, opportunities for inter-colony transmission are limited to host interactions during the autumn mating season. The three investigated hosts differ considerably in their social system, most notably in maternity colony size, mating system, and degree of male summer aggregation. We observed marked differences in parasite infection during the autumn mating period between the species, closely mirroring the predictions made based on the social systems of the hosts. Increased host aggregation sizes in summer yielded higher overall parasite prevalence and intensity, both in male and female hosts. Moreover, parasite levels in male hosts differentially increased throughout the autumn mating season in concordance with the degree of contact with female hosts afforded by the different mating systems of the hosts. Critically, the observed host-specific differences have important consequences for parasite population structure and will thus affect the coevolutionary dynamics between the interacting species. Therefore, in order to accurately characterize host-parasite dynamics in hosts with complex social systems, a holistic approach that investigates parasite infection and transmission across all periods is warranted.
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Postawa T, Nagy Z. Variation of parasitism patterns in bats during hibernation: the effect of host species, resources, health status, and hibernation period. Parasitol Res 2016; 115:3767-78. [PMID: 27240839 PMCID: PMC5040749 DOI: 10.1007/s00436-016-5138-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/01/2016] [Accepted: 05/17/2016] [Indexed: 02/01/2023]
Abstract
During critical periods of food shortage or variable climatic conditions, the choice of an appropriate host can increase the survival and reproductive performance of parasites. In turn, one of the unique adaptations to periodical food shortages is hibernation, which is often found among insectivorous bat species in the temperate zone. While hibernating, bats are completely defenseless against both predators and ectoparasites, their immune and endocrine systems are diminished, and survival is dependent on the accumulated fat reserves. Differences in the health status or in the rate of consumption of the resources might also explain species-specific differences in ectoparasite abundance, especially between closely related host species, such as the greater mouse-eared bat (Myotis myotis) and the lesser mouse-eared bat (M. blythii) during hibernation. In the present study, the abundance of two ecologically distinct (summer and winter) types of ectoparasites was examined in terms of its influence on the body condition and hemoglobin content of the two host species. The effects of demographic factors, such as host sex and age, were also investigated. Despite a similar pattern of deteriorating body condition and hemoglobin concentration, M. myotis was more parasitized than was M. blythii. The marked decrease in hemoglobin content in first-year females of both host species correlated with the highest parasite load and indicated a risk of anemia. At the intraspecific level, ectoparasite abundance was not correlated with body condition (resources), but it negatively affected hemoglobin content; however, this mostly concerned M. blythii, which had a lower parasite load. Therefore, it can be concluded that interspecific differences in ectoparasite abundance may result from parasites selecting the host species that is less sensitive to their activity. In turn, in summer ectoparasites, the preference for female hosts is probably attributable to the likelihood of reinfection rather than to an effect of host resources or health status. The absence of sex-based preferences in winter ectoparasites could be explained by equal host availability.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tomasz Postawa
- Institute of Systematics and Evolution of Animals, Polish Academy of Sciences, Sławkowska 17, 31-016, Kraków, Poland.
| | - Zoltan Nagy
- Foundation for School, Densusianu Str. 6/A, 400428, Cluj-Napoca, Romania
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Mazzamuto MV, Pisanu B, Romeo C, Ferrari N, Preatoni D, Wauters LA, Chapuis JL, Martinoli A. Poor Parasite Community of an Invasive Alien Species: Macroparasites of Pallas's Squirrel in Italy. ANN ZOOL FENN 2016. [DOI: 10.5735/086.053.0209] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/21/2022]
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Inter-annual and inter-individual variations in survival exhibit strong seasonality in a hibernating rodent. Oecologia 2016; 181:795-807. [PMID: 26969470 DOI: 10.1007/s00442-016-3597-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/18/2015] [Accepted: 02/24/2016] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
Most research on the demography of wild animal populations has focused on characterizing the variation in the mortality of organisms as a function of intrinsic and environmental characteristics. However, such variation in mortality is difficult to relate to functional life history components (e.g. reproduction, dispersal, hibernation) due to the difficulty in monitoring biological processes at a sufficiently fine timescale. In this study, we used a 10-year individual-based data set with an infra-annual timescale to investigate both intra- and inter-annual survival patterns according to intrinsic and environmental covariates in an introduced population of a small hibernating rodent, the Siberian chipmunk. We compared three distinct periods related to particular life history events: spring reproduction, summer reproduction and hibernation. Our results revealed strong interactions between intrinsic and temporal effects. First, survival of male chipmunks strongly decreases during the reproduction periods, while survival is high and equal between sexes during hibernation. Second, the season of birth affects the survival of juveniles during their first hibernation, which does not have long-lasting consequences at the adult stage. Third, at an inter-annual scale, we found that high food resource availability before hibernation and low chipmunk densities specifically favour subsequent winter survival. Overall, our results confirm that the well-known patterns of yearly and inter-individual variation of mortality observed in animals are themselves strongly variable within a given year, suggesting that they are associated with various functional components of the animals' life history.
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