Gastrointestinal parasite infestation in the alpine mountain hare (Lepus timidus varronis): Are abiotic environmental factors such as elevation, temperature and precipitation affecting prevalence of parasite species?. (August 2019)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Schai-Braun, Stéphanie C.; Posautz, Annika; Alves, Paulo C.; Hackländer, Klaus
• Is Part Of: International journal for parasitology. Volume 9(2019)
• Page Start: 202
• Page End: 208
• Publication Date: 2019-08
• Subjects: Lagomorpha -- Parasitism -- Parasite fauna -- Polyparasitism -- Parasitic incidence; 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.2019.05.009
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 2213-2244

Abstract

Abstract: Information concerning factors regulating Alpine mountain hare ( Lepus timidus varronis ) populations such as host-parasite interactions is missing as only a few parasitological surveys exist of this subspecies. Parasites are not only dependent on their host but also on suitable environmental conditions for infestation. Abiotic environmental factors have an important regulating role on parasites in mammals. It is estimated that the elevation range of parasites is likely to shift in response to alternate host movement and changes in climate. Here we assess the parasitic infestation in the Alpine mountain hare by analysing the parasites in faeces and comparing the parasite infestation at different elevation ranges and at varied weather conditions for two years in the Austrian Alps. Almost half of the faecal samples were free of parasites (46.2%, n = 52). Most frequent was the infection by Coccidia (46.2%), whereas stomach intestine strongylids, Trichuris spp, and Cestoda were only found in 9.6% of all faeces. Hence, only Coccidia may be prevalent enough to regulate Alpine mountain hare populations in the Austrian Alps. Elevation had a significant positive effect on the infection of animals by Trichuris spp, whereas temperature had a significant negative effect on the infection by any parasite traceable in faeces and, when looking at the parasite groups individually, on Coccidia. Graphical abstract: Image 1 Highlights: Almost half of the Alpine mountain hare faecal samples were free of parasites. Coccidia was more frequent in our hare faeces than in other examined populations. Stomach intestine strongylids and Cestoda were only found in 9.6% of our samples. Only Coccidia may be prevalent enough to regulate this hare population. Temperature had a significant negative effect on the incidence of any parasite in the faecal samples.