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Title: GASTROINTESTINAL STRONGYLES IN WILD RUMINANTS FROM NORTH AMERICA (BOOK CHAPTER IN "PARASITE DISEASES OF WILD MAMMALS")

Author
item Hoberg, Eric
item KOCAN, A - OKHAHOMA STATE UNIV
item RICKARD-BALLWEVER, L - MISSISSIPPI STATE UNIV

Submitted to: Book Chapter
Publication Type: Book / Chapter
Publication Acceptance Date: 12/23/1997
Publication Date: N/A
Citation: N/A

Interpretive Summary: The strongylate nematode fauna of wild ruminants in North America has never been summarized in detail. Such synoptic data are necessary to fully understand and predict the interaction of parasites found in domestic and wild bovids and cervids. Biodiversity assessment involving survey of 11 species of wild bovids and cervids indicated that 53 species of strongyles, representing 16 genera are parasites of wild sheep, deer, caribou, and moose. In some circumstances such nematodes can cause disease and mortality in individual hosts, and more importantly may influence population biology for wild ruminants. Patterns of distribution also indicate that the faunas of domestic cattle and sheep and those characteristic of wild hosts may be shared. Global change, driven by anthropogenic factors or climate are expected to influence the occurrence of nematodes and the potential for disease in both wild and domestic ruminants. Consequently, the synoptic information presented for the diversity of the North American fauna constitutes a baseline for examining the potential impact of management practices and global change on nematodes and their hosts.

Technical Abstract: Strongylate nematodes are among the most characteristic parasites of the gastrointestinal system of ruminants throughout the world. In North America, the nematode faunas of domestic and wild ruminants are complex and their origins and history must be elucidated in order to understand the distributional patterns of parasites and the potential for disease. Biodiversity assessment involving survey of 11 species of sylvatic bovids and cervids indicates that 53 species of strongyles, representing 16 genera have been documented from North America in wild sheep, deer, caribou and moose. Data for prevalence and intensity suggest that in some circumstances these nematodes may cause morbidity and mortality in individual hosts, and more importantly may influence population dynamics for wild ruminants. Patterns of distribution also indicate that faunas of domestic cattle and sheep and those characteristic of wild hosts may overlap. Anthropogenic and climatological global change are expected to influence the occurrence of nematodes and the potential for disease in both wild and domestic ruminants.