Estimating parasite-condition relationships and potential health effects for fallow deer (Dama dama) and red deer (Cervus elaphus) in Denmark.

ABSTRACT: Parasites can exert a substantial influence on the ecology of wildlife populations by altering host condition. Our objectives were to estimate single and multiparasite-condition relationships for fallow deer (Dama dama) and red deer (Cervus elaphus) in Denmark and to assess potential health effects along the parasite burden gradient. Fallow deer hosted on average two endoparasite taxa per individual (min = 0, max = 5) while red deer carried on average five parasite taxa per individual (min = 2, max = 9). Body condition of both deer species was negatively related to presence of Trichuris ssp. eggs while body condition of red deer was positively related to antibodies of the protozoan Toxoplasma gondii. For the remaining parasite taxa (n = 12), we either found weak

SUBMITTER: van Beest FM 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC10196918 | biostudies-literature | 2023 Aug

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature