Ectoparasitism of rodent hosts in Algonquin Provincial Park, Ontario, Canada: Infestation patterns, host glucocorticoids, and species co-occurrence

Abstract

Examining multiple parasite taxa across host species presents an opportunity to assess the biology of host-parasite systems. This study investigated: 1) factors associated with ectoparasite prevalence on deer mice (Peromyscus maniculatus), southern red-backed voles (Myodes gapperi) and woodland jumping mice (Napaeozapus insignus); 2) relationship between ectoparasites and glucocorticoid levels of deer mice, and; 3) whether ectoparasites of deer mice and North American red squirrels (Tamiasciurus hudsonicus) form structured assemblages. I examined data from fleas, mites, and botflies on these hosts in Algonquin Provincial Park, Ontario, Canada. Ectoparasite prevalence varied with host traits and date. Ectoparasites had no relationship with deer mouse glucocorticoid production. Lastly, ectoparasites of deer mice, but not red squirrels, had exhibited non-random co-occurrence patterns. Parasites play an important role in population regulation and thus, these findings provide a better understanding on the effect of ectoparasites on their hosts, on each other, and consequently on their ecosystem.