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Cyclic and non-cyclic dynamics in populations of the helminth parasites of wood mice, Apodemus sylvaticus

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  05 June 2009

S. S. J. Montgomery  and
W. I. Montgomery
S. S. J. Montgomery
Affiliation:
Department of Zoology, The Queen's University of Belfast, Belfast BT7 INN, Northern Ireland
W. I. Montgomery
Affiliation:
Department of Zoology, The Queen's University of Belfast, Belfast BT7 INN, Northern Ireland
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Abstract

Two populations of Apodemus sylvaticus, one in deciduous woodland and another in coniferous forest in Co. Down, Northern Ireland, were trapped at monthly intervals over 33 months. The dynamics, reproduction and age structure of the mouse populations differed between years with over a 40 fold range of population size. Nine species of helminths were recovered from the alimentary tract and associated organs of the mice. The prevalence and mean worm burden of the cestodes, Catenotaenia lobata, Hymenolepis hibernia and Taenia taeniaeformis varied erratically. The trematodes, Corrigia vitta and to a lesser degree Brachylaima recurva, had seasonal changes in abundance. The nematodes Capillaria murissylvatici and Nematospiroides dubius had strongly seasonal cycles of abundance associated with the onset of host reproduction. Trichuris muris was the rarest helminth. Despite protracted periods of absence this species maintained a seasonal increase in mean worm burden in late winter. The nematode, Syphacia stroma, had a weakly seasonal pattern of dynamics. The bases of these cyclical and non-cyclical dynamics of the helminths of A. sylvaticus are discussed.

Keywords

Apodemus sylvaticuspopulation dynamicsCatenotaenia lobataHymenolepis hiberniaTaenia taeniaeformisCorrigia vittaBrachylaima recurvaCapillaria murissylvaticiNematospiroides dubiusTrichuris murisSyphacia stromaNorthern Ireland.
Type
Research Papers
Information
Journal of Helminthology , Volume 62 , Issue 1 , March 1988 , pp. 78 - 90
Copyright
Copyright © Cambridge University Press 1988

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