Interactions of cranial helminths in the European polecat (Mustela putorius): Implications for host body condition.

ABSTRACT: Multiple helminth species commonly co-occur within mammals and their interactions may negatively affect the survival and breeding success of their hosts. However, it has been difficult to prove competition or mutualism between co-infesting helminths in field studies of wild mammals. The sinus cavities of European polecats (Mustela putorius) can be parasitised by the trematode Troglotrema acutum and the nematode Skrjabingylus nasicola and both helminths can co-occur within hosts. While both parasites can damage the host's bone structure and cause severe pathologies, their impact on host body condition is unclear. It is also unknown whether both parasites interact and how this might affect cranial damage and host body condition. We examined 515 fresh polecat skulls for t

SUBMITTER: Frantz AC 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC9271704 | biostudies-literature | 2022 Aug

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature