Seasonal and biological drivers of gastrointestinal parasites in wild rodents from two areas with different anthropogenic pressures in a semi-arid region.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Environmental and biological factors can regulate host-parasite interactions. However, in the context of habitat alteration due to human-induced activities, little is known about its effects on parasite infections in wildlife populations. This study focused on the study of 363 wild rodents (Phyllotis darwini Waterhouse 1837) inhabiting two areas with different anthropogenic pressures (i.e., non-altered [protected] and altered [rural] area) in the Coquimbo Region, in Chile, during five consecutive seasons (2021-2022). Coprological examinations were carried out using the Mini-FLOTAC method, and factors associated with parasite infections (i.e., seasons, site types, sex, and body mass) were evaluated.

Results

The overall prevalence of gastrointestinal parasitism was

SUBMITTER: Carrera-Jativa PD 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12648903 | biostudies-literature | 2025 Nov

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature