Parasite prevalence, infection intensity and richness in an endangered population, the Atlantic-Gaspésie caribou. Issue 1 (April 2018)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Turgeon, Geneviève; Kutz, Susan J.; Lejeune, Manigandan; St-Laurent, Martin-Hugues; Pelletier, Fanie
• Is Part Of: International journal for parasitology. Volume 7:Issue 1(2018)
• Page Start: 90
• Page End: 94
• Publication Date: 2018-04
• Subjects: Capillaria -- Eimeria -- Moniezia -- Nematodirinae -- Parelaphostrongylus andersoni -- Rangifer tarandus; Parasites -- Periodicals; Parasitology -- Periodicals; Animals -- Periodicals; Wildlife diseases -- Periodicals; Parasites -- Periodicals; Animals, Wild -- Periodicals; Animals; Parasites; Parasitology; Wildlife diseases; Periodicals; 591.7857
• DOI: 10.1016/j.ijppaw.2018.02.001
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 2213-2244

Abstract

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, presumably Parelaphostrongylus andersoni based on PCR identification of a subset, Nematodirus odocoilei and other unidentified Strongyles, Trichuris sp., Capillaria sp., Moniezia sp. and Eimeria sp. For each caribou, mean parasite species richness was 1.8 ± 1.1 (SD). Sex, body condition, year and capture location did not explain parasite prevalence, intensity of infection or richness except for intensity of infection of Capillaria sp. that was positively influenced by body condition. Parasites did not influence survival although mortality was higher for males than for females. We suggest that the relatively low and common gastrointestinal and protostrongylid parasite infections will not be a short-term threat leading to extinction. Graphical abstract: Image 1 Highlights: Fecal pellets from Gaspésie-Atlantic caribou population were examined for parasites. We identified 7 parasite species and mean species richness reached 1.8/caribou. Parelaphostrongylus andersoni was identified using PCR identification. Capillaria sp. were found yet are rare in other wild caribou in Canada. Despite a male-biased mortality, parasite infection did not affect caribou survival.