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Rijal S, Neuhaus P, Thorley J, Caulkett N, Kutz S, Ruckstuhl KE. Patterns of gastrointestinal parasite infections in bighorn sheep, Ovis canadensis, with respect to host sex and seasonality. Int J Parasitol Parasites Wildl 2024; 24:100950. [PMID: 38966857 PMCID: PMC11222929 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijppaw.2024.100950] [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: 01/08/2024] [Revised: 05/29/2024] [Accepted: 06/04/2024] [Indexed: 07/06/2024]
Abstract
Males and females in sexually dimorphic species show differences in their physiology and behaviour due to differences in energetic investment into reproduction and soma. This means that the two sexes may show different patterns of parasitism at different times of the year. In this study, we evaluate the abundance of fecal eggs and larvae of 5 parasite types (Strongyles, Nematodirus spp., Marshallagia marshalli., Protostrongylus spp. lungworms, and Eimeria spp.) in relation to season and sex in Rocky Mountain bighorn sheep (Ovis canadensis). We use fecal egg counts (FEC) as a proxy for infection intensity. Parasite FECs differed between male and female bighorn sheep and varied with season. We found pronounced fluctuations in fecal egg counts of various parasite species in males and females across different seasons and reproductive stages. Strongyle counts were significantly higher during late gestation and lactation/summer, and particularly pronounced in males. Nematodirus counts were highest during late gestation in females and during the rut in males. Marshallagia counts peaked during late gestation in females and during the rut in males. Protostrongylus spp. lungworm counts were highest during late gestation in females and in males during lactation/summer and the rut. Eimeria oocyst counts varied across seasons, with higher counts in males during the rut and in females during winter and late gestation. Additionally, significant differences in Strongyle counts were observed between coursing and tending rams, with tending rams exhibiting higher counts. We discuss why the sexes might differ in FECs and suggest that differences between FECs of the parasites across seasons may be due to different life cycles and cold tolerance of the parasites themselves.
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Affiliation(s)
- Samridhi Rijal
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Calgary, 2500 University Drive NW, Calgary, Alberta, T2N 1N4, Canada
| | - Peter Neuhaus
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Calgary, 2500 University Drive NW, Calgary, Alberta, T2N 1N4, Canada
- Department of Zoology, Cambridge University, Downing Street, Cambridge, CB2 3EJ, UK
| | - Jack Thorley
- Department of Zoology, Cambridge University, Downing Street, Cambridge, CB2 3EJ, UK
| | - Nigel Caulkett
- Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Calgary, Foothills Campus, 3280 Hospital Drive NW, Calgary, Alberta, T2N 4Z6, Canada
| | - Susan Kutz
- Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Calgary, Foothills Campus, 3280 Hospital Drive NW, Calgary, Alberta, T2N 4Z6, Canada
| | - Kathreen E. Ruckstuhl
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Calgary, 2500 University Drive NW, Calgary, Alberta, T2N 1N4, Canada
- Department of Zoology, Cambridge University, Downing Street, Cambridge, CB2 3EJ, UK
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2
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Valdebenito JO, Jones W, Székely T. Evolutionary drivers of sex-specific parasite prevalence in wild birds. Proc Biol Sci 2024; 291:20241013. [PMID: 39106952 PMCID: PMC11303024 DOI: 10.1098/rspb.2024.1013] [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: 05/01/2023] [Accepted: 05/24/2024] [Indexed: 08/09/2024] Open
Abstract
Males and females often differ in ecology, behaviour and lifestyle, and these differences are expected to lead to sex differences in parasite susceptibility. However, neither the sex differences in parasite prevalence, nor their ecological and evolutionary drivers have been investigated across a broad range of taxa using phylogenetically corrected analyses. Using the most extensive dataset yet that includes 755 prevalence estimates from 151 wild bird species in a meta-analytic framework, here we compare sex differences in blood and gastrointestinal parasites. We show that despite sex differences in parasite infection being frequently reported in the literature, only Haemoproteus infections were more prevalent in females than in males. Notably, only seasonality was strongly associated with the sex-specific parasite prevalence of both Leucocytozoon and Haemoproteus, where birds showed greater female bias in prevalence during breeding periods compared to the non-breeding period. No other ecological or sexual selection variables were associated with sex-specific prevalence of parasite prevalence. We suggest that much of the variation in sex-biased prevalence could be idiosyncratic, and driven by local ecology and behavioural differences of the parasite and the host. Therefore, breeding ecology and sexual selection may only have a modest influence on sex-different parasite prevalence across wild birds.
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Affiliation(s)
- José O. Valdebenito
- Debrecen Biodiversity Research Centre, University of Debrecen, Debrecen, Hungary
- Bird Ecology Lab, Instituto de Ciencias Marinas y Limnológicas, Universidad Austral de Chile, Valdivia, Los Ríos, Chile
- Centro de Humedales Río Cruces (CEHUM), Universidad Austral de Chile, Valdivia, Los Ríos, Chile
- Millennium Institute Biodiversity of Antarctic and Subantarctic Ecosystems (BASE), Chile
| | - William Jones
- Debrecen Biodiversity Research Centre, University of Debrecen, Debrecen, Hungary
| | - Tamás Székely
- Debrecen Biodiversity Research Centre, University of Debrecen, Debrecen, Hungary
- Milner Centre for Evolution, Department of Biology and Biochemistry, University of Bath, Bath, UK
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3
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Verstege JS, Johnson-Bice SM, Roth JD. Arctic and red fox population responses to climate and cryosphere changes at the Arctic's edge. Oecologia 2023; 202:589-599. [PMID: 37458813 DOI: 10.1007/s00442-023-05418-6] [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: 08/17/2022] [Accepted: 07/01/2023] [Indexed: 07/30/2023]
Abstract
Responses of one species to climate change may influence the population dynamics of others, particularly in the Arctic where food webs are strongly linked. Specifically, changes to the cryosphere may limit prey availability for predators. We examined Arctic (Vulpes lagopus) and red fox (V. vulpes) population dynamics near the southern edge of the Arctic fox distribution using fur harvest records from Churchill, Manitoba, Canada between 1955 and 2012. Arctic foxes showed a declining population trend over time (inferred from harvest records corrected for trapping effort), whereas the red fox population trend was relatively stable. The positive relationship between the annual Arctic and red fox harvests suggested interspecific competition did not promote the Arctic fox decline. To investigate alternative mechanisms, we evaluated the relative influence of sea-ice phenology, snow depth, snow duration, winter thaws, and summer temperature on the harvest dynamics of both species in the most recent 32 years (1980-2012; n = 29) of our data. Arctic fox harvests were negatively related to the length of time Hudson Bay was free of sea ice. Shorter sea ice duration may reduce access to seal carrion as an alternative winter food source when lemming densities decline. Contrary to our prediction, red fox harvest was not related to summer temperature but was positively related to snow depth, suggesting winter prey availability may limit red fox population growth. Predators have an important ecological role, so understanding the influence of changes in the cryosphere on predator-prey interactions may better illuminate the broader influence of climate change on food-web dynamics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jacqueline S Verstege
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, MB, R3T 2N2, Canada
| | - Sean M Johnson-Bice
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, MB, R3T 2N2, Canada
| | - James D Roth
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, MB, R3T 2N2, Canada.
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4
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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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5
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Nater CR, Eide NE, Pedersen ÅØ, Yoccoz NG, Fuglei E. Contributions from terrestrial and marine resources stabilize predator populations in a rapidly changing climate. Ecosphere 2021. [DOI: 10.1002/ecs2.3546] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/07/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Chloé R. Nater
- Norwegian Polar Institute Tromsø Norway
- Centre for Biodiversity Dynamics Norwegian University of Science and Technology Trondheim Norway
- Department of Arctic and Marine Biology UIT – The Arctic University of Norway Tromsø Norway
| | - Nina E. Eide
- Norwegian Institute for Nature Research Trondheim Norway
| | | | - Nigel G. Yoccoz
- Department of Arctic and Marine Biology UIT – The Arctic University of Norway Tromsø Norway
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Rosso AA, Nicholson DJ, Logan ML, Chung AK, Curlis JD, Degon ZM, Knell RJ, Garner TWJ, McMillan WO, Cox CL. Sex-biased parasitism and expression of a sexual signal. Biol J Linn Soc Lond 2020. [DOI: 10.1093/biolinnean/blaa162] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/13/2022]
Abstract
Abstract
Given that sexual signals are often expressed more highly in one sex than the other, they can impose a sex-specific cost of reproduction through parasitism. The two primary paradigms regarding the relationship of parasites to sexual signals are the good genes hypothesis and the immunocompetence handicap hypothesis; however, there are other ecological, morphological and energetic factors that might influence parasite infections in a sex-specific fashion. We tested the relationship between expression of a sexual signal (the dewlap) and ecological, morphological and energetic factors mediating ectoparasite (mite) load between male and female Panamanian slender anoles (Anolis apletophallus). We found that males were more highly parasitized than females because of the preponderance of ectoparasites on the larger dewlap of males. Indeed, ectoparasite infection increased with both body size and dewlap size in males but not in females, and parasite infection was related to energy storage in a sex-specific fashion for the fat bodies, liver and gonads. Our work and previous work on testosterone in anoles suggests that this pattern did not arise solely from immunosuppression by testosterone, but that mites prefer the dewlap as an attachment site. Thus, the expression of this sexual signal could incur a fitness cost that might structure life-history trade-offs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Adam A Rosso
- Department of Biology, Georgia Southern University, Statesboro, GA, USA
| | - Daniel J Nicholson
- School of Biological and Chemical Sciences, Queen Mary University of London, London, UK
| | - Michael L Logan
- Department of Biology, University of Nevada-Reno, Reno, NV, USA
- Smithsonian Tropical Research Institute, Panama City, Panama
| | - Albert K Chung
- Department of Biology, Georgia Southern University, Statesboro, GA, USA
- Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - John David Curlis
- Department of Biology, Georgia Southern University, Statesboro, GA, USA
- Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, USA
| | - Zachariah M Degon
- Department of Biology, Georgia Southern University, Statesboro, GA, USA
| | - Robert J Knell
- School of Biological and Chemical Sciences, Queen Mary University of London, London, UK
| | | | - W Owen McMillan
- Department of Biology, University of Nevada-Reno, Reno, NV, USA
| | - Christian L Cox
- Department of Biology, Georgia Southern University, Statesboro, GA, USA
- Institute of Environment and Department of Biological Sciences, Florida International University, Miami, FL, USA
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7
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Host age predicts parasite occurrence, richness, and nested infracommunities in a pilot whale-helminth network. Parasitol Res 2020; 119:2237-2244. [PMID: 32451718 DOI: 10.1007/s00436-020-06716-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/29/2019] [Accepted: 05/10/2020] [Indexed: 10/24/2022]
Abstract
Ecological data on marine mammal parasites represent an excellent opportunity to expand our understanding of host-parasite systems. In this study, we used a dataset of intestinal helminth parasites on 167 long-finned pilot whales Globicephala melas (Traill, 1809) from seven localities in the Faroe Islands to evaluate the extent to which the host's age and sex influence the occurrence, richness, and nested pattern of helminth parasites and the importance of individual hosts to the helminth community. We found positive effects of age on both the occurrence and richness of helminths. Older host individuals showed an ordered accumulation of parasites, as evidenced by the nested pattern in their composition. Males had a higher occurrence of parasites than females, but the richness of helminths did not differ between sexes. Our findings suggest that differences in host-parasite interactions in long-finned pilot whales result mainly from age-structured variations in biological and behavioral characteristics.
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9
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Soe E, Davison J, Süld K, Valdmann H, Laurimaa L, Saarma U. Europe-wide biogeographical patterns in the diet of an ecologically and epidemiologically important mesopredator, the red foxVulpes vulpes: a quantitative review. Mamm Rev 2017. [DOI: 10.1111/mam.12092] [Citation(s) in RCA: 57] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Egle Soe
- Department of Zoology; Institute of Ecology and Earth Sciences; University of Tartu; Vanemuise 46 51014 Tartu Estonia
| | - John Davison
- Department of Botany; Institute of Ecology and Earth Sciences; University of Tartu; Lai 40 51005 Tartu Estonia
| | - Karmen Süld
- Department of Zoology; Institute of Ecology and Earth Sciences; University of Tartu; Vanemuise 46 51014 Tartu Estonia
| | - Harri Valdmann
- Department of Zoology; Institute of Ecology and Earth Sciences; University of Tartu; Vanemuise 46 51014 Tartu Estonia
| | - Leidi Laurimaa
- Department of Zoology; Institute of Ecology and Earth Sciences; University of Tartu; Vanemuise 46 51014 Tartu Estonia
| | - Urmas Saarma
- Department of Zoology; Institute of Ecology and Earth Sciences; University of Tartu; Vanemuise 46 51014 Tartu Estonia
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10
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Grunberg RL, Sukhdeo MVK. Temporal Community Structure in Two Gregarines (Rotundula gammari and Heliospora longissima) Co-Infecting the Amphipod Gammarus fasciatus. J Parasitol 2016; 103:6-13. [PMID: 27723433 DOI: 10.1645/16-47] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
This study surveyed gregarine parasites that infect the amphipod, Gammarus fasciatus , to investigate temporal dynamics in infracommunity structure. We sampled a population of hosts for 2 yr from the north branch of the Raritan River in New Jersey. These hosts were infected with 2 direct life cycle gregarine parasites, Rotundula gammari and Heliospora longissima. Infections were separated temporally, with the prevalence of R. gammari peaking within the amphipod population in the fall (prevalence = 78% year 1 and 97% year 2) and H. longissima peaking in early spring (prevalence = 41% year 1 and 52% year 2). Increases in host population density did not significantly correlate with the abundance of these 2 parasites. However, H. longissima abundance was positively correlated with host body weight while R. gammari showed no significant relationship. The mean body mass of amphipods infected with H. longissima was 20.7 ± 1. 2 mg, and with R. gammari 8.1 ± 0.2 mg, which suggests a sized-based infection pattern. Mixed species infections were infrequent with an overall prevalence of 4.6%. When both gregarine species co-infected the same host, the R. gammari but not the H. longissima infrapopulation size was significantly lower when compared to single-species infections, suggesting asymmetric interactions. We conclude that the observed temporal patterns of infection by the 2 parasites are driven by a seasonal change in host demographics and size-dependent infections. We argue that specificity for host developmental stages may have arisen as a mechanism to avoid overlap between these gregarine species.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rita L Grunberg
- Department of Ecology, Evolution and Natural Resources, Rutgers University, New Brunswick, New Jersey 08901
| | - Michael V K Sukhdeo
- Department of Ecology, Evolution and Natural Resources, Rutgers University, New Brunswick, New Jersey 08901
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11
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Kojola I, Holmala K, Huhta E, Oksanen A, Kokko S. Prevalence of
Trichinella
infection in three sympatric large carnivores: effects of the host's sex and age. J Zool (1987) 2016. [DOI: 10.1111/jzo.12394] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- I. Kojola
- Natural Resources Institute Finland (Luke) Rovaniemi Finland
| | - K. Holmala
- Natural Resources Institute Finland (Luke) Vantaa Finland
| | - E. Huhta
- Natural Resources Institute Finland (Luke) Rovaniemi Finland
| | - A. Oksanen
- Finnish Food Safe Authority Evira (FINPAR) Oulu Finland
| | - S. Kokko
- Natural Resources Institute Finland (Luke) University of Oulu Oulu Finland
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12
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Friesen OC, Roth JD. Alternative prey use affects helminth parasite infections in grey wolves. J Anim Ecol 2016; 85:1265-74. [PMID: 27155132 DOI: 10.1111/1365-2656.12544] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/18/2015] [Accepted: 04/12/2016] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
Predators affect prey populations not only through direct predation, but also by acting as definitive hosts for their parasites and completing parasite life cycles. Understanding the affects of parasitism on prey population dynamics requires knowing how their predators' parasite community is affected by diet and prey availability. Ungulates, such as moose (Alces americanus) and white-tailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus), are often important prey for wolves (Canis lupus), but wolves also consume a variety of alternative prey, including beaver (Castor canadensis) and snowshoe hare (Lepus americanus). The use of alternative prey, which may host different or fewer parasites than ungulates, could potentially reduce overall abundance of ungulate parasites within the ecosystem, benefiting both wolves and ungulate hosts. We examined parasites in wolf carcasses from eastern Manitoba and estimated wolf diet using stable isotope analysis. Taeniidae cestodes were present in most wolves (75%), reflecting a diet primarily comprised of ungulates, but nematodes were unexpectedly rare. Cestode abundance was negatively related to the wolf's δ(13) C value, indicating diet affects parasite abundance. Wolves that consumed a higher proportion of beaver and caribou (Rangifer tarandus), estimated using Bayesian mixing models, had lower cestode abundance, suggesting the use of these alternative prey can reduce parasite loads. Long-term consumption of beavers may lower the abundance of adult parasites in wolves, eventually lowering parasite density in the region and ultimately benefiting ungulates that serve as intermediate hosts. Thus, alternative prey can affect both predator-prey and host-parasite interactions and potentially affect food web dynamics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Olwyn C Friesen
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, MB, R3T 2N2, Canada
| | - James D Roth
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, MB, R3T 2N2, Canada
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Relationships between host body condition and immunocompetence, not host sex, best predict parasite burden in a bat-helminth system. Parasitol Res 2016; 115:2155-64. [PMID: 26898834 DOI: 10.1007/s00436-016-4957-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/24/2015] [Accepted: 02/12/2016] [Indexed: 10/22/2022]
Abstract
Sex-biased parasitism highlights potentially divergent approaches to parasite resistance resulting in differing energetic trade-offs for males and females; however, trade-offs between immunity and self-maintenance could also depend on host body condition. We investigated these relationships in the big brown bat, Eptesicus fuscus, to determine if host sex or body condition better predicted parasite resistance, if testosterone levels predicted male parasite burdens, and if immune parameters could predict male testosterone levels. We found that male and female hosts had similar parasite burdens and female bats scored higher than males in only one immunological measure. Top models of helminth burden revealed interactions between body condition index and agglutination score as well as between agglutination score and host sex. Additionally, the strength of the relationships between sex, agglutination, and helminth burden is affected by body condition. Models of male parasite burden provided no support for testosterone predicting helminthiasis. Models that best predicted testosterone levels did not include parasite burden but instead consistently included month of capture and agglutination score. Thus, in our system, body condition was a more important predictor of immunity and worm burden than host sex.
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