Helminth parasites in the wood mouse (Apodemus sylvaticus) from Algeria

Abstract

Helminth parasites of the wood mouse Apodemus sylvaticus (Rodentia, Murinae) were studied for the first time in Algeria. Fifty mice from Mizrana forest were examined in 2017. Our results showed a general prevalence of 82 % and a six species of helminths: four nematodes (Heligmosomoides polygyrus, Syphacia stroma, Syphacia frederici and Rictularia sp.) and two cestodes (Hymenolepis sp. and Hydatigera parva larvae). The most prevalent species was S. stroma (52.0 %), followed by S. frederici (46 %) and H. polygyrus (26 %). Infection rates in the analysed mice were higher in Nematoda (70 %) than in Cestoda (12 %). Host age was the most important factor determining the prevalence of helminth species, with adults being the most infected group. The differences were significant. No differences in prevalence were observed related to host sex or seasonality.

Host body mass, not sex, affects ectoparasite loads in yellow-necked mouse Apodemus flavicollis

“…Our findings highlight the importance of the sexual size dimorphism in shaping sex-biased parasitism patterns among small mammals (Moore and Wilson 2002; Harrison et al 2010 ; Kowalski et al 2015 ; Merabet et al 2021 , but see Morand et al 2004 ; Krasnov et al 2005a , b ; Perez-Orella and Schulte-Hostedde 2005 ; Gorrell Jamieson and Schulte-Hostedde 2008 ). The mechanisms driving sex-biased parasitism can be intricate and involve interactions between various host and parasite traits, as well as environmental factors.…”