Infrapopulation dynamics of Parelaphostrongylus tenuis in white-tailed deer

Journal of Wildlife Diseases
A M SlomkeW J Peterson

Abstract

The prevalence and intensity of Parelaphostrongylus tenuis was determined by examining the head and a fecal sample from each of 379 white-tailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus) of known age that had been killed by vehicles in northeastern Minnesota (USA), November 1991 to May 1993. Small numbers of adult worms (mean +/- SD, 3.2 +/- 2.2; maximum, 13) were found in the cranium of 311 (82%); but over a third (118 of 311) of the infected deer were not passing larvae in their feces. Most occult infections were sterile because only one sex of the parasite was present. Adult P. tenuis were not found in the vertebral canal of deer. Prevalence of adult worms and larvae was lower in fawns (68% and 35%, respectively) than in older age classes of deer (89% and 63%, respectively). Forty-three of 45 deer between 7 and 15 yr old were infected. Mean (+/- SD) intensity of adult worms was lower in fawns (2.7 +/- 1.8) and yearlings (3.0 +/- 2.1) than in deer 7 to 15 yr (4.1 +/- 2.5). Conversely, the mean (+/- SD) number of larvae in feces was higher in fawns (103 +/- 119 larvae/g) than in adults 2 to 6 yr old (36.2 +/- 46 larvae/g) and 7 to 15 yr old (35.6 +/- 60 larvae/g). Mean (+/- SD) fecundity of female worms was greatest in fawns (51.6 +/- 64....Continue Reading

Citations

Nov 3, 2005·Parasitology Research·Joaquín VicenteChristian Gortazar
Mar 7, 2001·Veterinary Parasitology·J Vicente, C Gortázar
Jan 24, 2006·Infection and Immunity·Michael S DuffyJudith A Appleton
Nov 13, 2014·Journal of Wildlife Diseases·Arno WünschmannMichelle Carstensen
Sep 13, 2003·Journal of Veterinary Diagnostic Investigation : Official Publication of the American Association of Veterinary Laboratory Diagnosticians, Inc·O OgunremiA Gajadhar
May 5, 2021·Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association·Devin von StadeElizabeth W Howerth

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