Parasite prevalence, infection intensity and richness in an endangered population, the Atlantic-Gaspésie caribou

International Journal for Parasitology. Parasites and Wildlife
Geneviève TurgeonFanie Pelletier

Abstract

The Atlantic-Gaspésie caribou (Rangifer tarandus caribou) population is a small isolated relict herd considered endangered according to the Canadian Species at Risk Act (SARA). This population has low recruitment and survival rates but the potential role of parasites on individual fitness is unknown. In this context, we explored the parasite status of this population with the aim of 1) assessing the occurrence and intensity of parasite infections and the spatial, temporal and individual variations, 2) quantifying parasite richness and investigating factors such as sex and host body condition that may be associated with this variable and 3) evaluating the effects of parasite infections on survival in the Atlantic-Gaspésie caribou population. We examined fecal samples from 32 animals captured in 2013-2014 for eggs, oocysts and larvae of parasites and detected 7 parasite species: dorsal-spined larvae protostrongylids, presumablyParelaphostrongylus andersonibased on PCR identification of a subset,Nematodirus odocoileiand other unidentified Strongyles,Trichurissp.,Capillariasp.,Monieziasp. andEimeriasp. For each caribou, mean parasite species richness was 1.8 ± 1.1 (SD). Sex, body condition, year and capture location did not explain...Continue Reading

Citations

Jan 14, 2021·International Journal for Parasitology. Parasites and Wildlife·Marta Kołodziej-SobocińskaAndrzej Zalewski
Jan 24, 2020·International Journal for Parasitology. Parasites and Wildlife·Guilherme G VerocaiSusan J Kutz

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BETA
PCR

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R
Argos
bootBCa
R Core Team

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