Seasonal and biogeographical patterns of gastrointestinal parasites in large carnivores: wolves in a coastal archipelago

H.M. Bryan; C.T. Darimont; J.E. Hill; P.C. Paquet; R.C.A. Thompson; B. Wagner; J.E.G. Smits

doi:10.1017/S0031182011002319

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Seasonal and biogeographical patterns of gastrointestinal parasites in large carnivores: wolves in a coastal archipelago

Journal article

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Seasonal and biogeographical patterns of gastrointestinal parasites in large carnivores: wolves in a coastal archipelago

H.M. Bryan, C.T. Darimont, J.E. Hill, P.C. Paquet, R.C.A. Thompson, B. Wagner and J.E.G. Smits

Parasitology, Vol.139(06), pp.781-790

2012

DOI: https://doi.org/10.1017/S0031182011002319

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Abstract

Parasites are increasingly recognized for their profound influences on individual, population and ecosystem health. We provide the first report of gastrointestinal parasites in gray wolves from the central and north coasts of British Columbia, Canada. Across 60 000 km 2, wolf feces were collected from 34 packs in 2005-2008. At a smaller spatial scale (3300 km 2), 8 packs were sampled in spring and autumn. Parasite eggs, larvae, and cysts were identified using standard flotation techniques and morphology. A subset of samples was analysed by PCR and sequencing to identify tapeworm eggs (n=9) and Giardia cysts (n=14). We detected ≥14 parasite taxa in 1558 fecal samples. Sarcocystis sporocysts occurred most frequently in feces (43·7%), followed by taeniid eggs (23·9%), Diphyllobothrium eggs (9·1%), Giardia cysts (6·8%), Toxocara canis eggs (2·1%), and Cryptosporidium oocysts (1·7%). Other parasites occurred in 1% of feces. Genetic analyses revealed Echinococcus canadensis strains G8 and G10, Taenia ovis krabbei, Diphyllobothrium nehonkaiense, and Giardia duodenalis assemblages A and B. Parasite prevalence differed between seasons and island/mainland sites. Patterns in parasite prevalence reflect seasonal and spatial resource use by wolves and wolf-salmon associations. These data provide a unique, extensive and solid baseline for monitoring parasite community structure in relation to environmental change.

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Title: Seasonal and biogeographical patterns of gastrointestinal parasites in large carnivores: wolves in a coastal archipelago
Authors/Creators: H.M. Bryan (Author/Creator) - University of Saskatchewan
C.T. Darimont (Author/Creator) - Raincoast Conservation Foundation
J.E. Hill (Author/Creator) - University of Saskatchewan
P.C. Paquet (Author/Creator) - Raincoast Conservation Foundation
R.C.A. Thompson (Author/Creator) - Murdoch University
B. Wagner (Author/Creator) - University of Saskatchewan
J.E.G. Smits (Author/Creator) - University of Saskatchewan
Publication Details: Parasitology, Vol.139(06), pp.781-790
Publisher: Cambridge University Press
Identifiers: 991005541568907891
Copyright: © 2012 Cambridge University Press
Murdoch Affiliation: School of Veterinary and Biomedical Sciences
Language: English
Resource Type: Journal article

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Collaboration types: Domestic collaboration; International collaboration
Citation topics: 1 Clinical & Life Sciences; 1.163 Parasitology - General; 1.163.1106 Echinococcosis
Web Of Science research areas: Parasitology
ESI research areas: Microbiology