Effects of seed masting of bilberry, oak and spruce on sympatric populations of bank vole (Clethrionomys glareolus) and wood mouse (Apodemus sylvaticus) in southern Norway

2002 ◽  
Vol 258 (4) ◽  
pp. 459-468 ◽  
Author(s):  
Vidar Sel??s ◽  
Erik Framstad ◽  
Tor K. Spids??
2010 ◽  
Vol 199 (4) ◽  
pp. 447-460 ◽  
Author(s):  
T. D. Healing ◽  
V. T. Jewell ◽  
P. A. Jewell ◽  
I. W. Rowlands ◽  
J. H. W. Gipps

Parasitology ◽  
2005 ◽  
Vol 130 (6) ◽  
pp. 661-668 ◽  
Author(s):  
S. TELFER ◽  
K. J. BOWN ◽  
R. SEKULES ◽  
M. BEGON ◽  
T. HAYDEN ◽  
...  

The potential of biological invasions to threaten native ecosystems is well recognized. Here we describe how an introduced species impacts on native host-parasite dynamics by acting as an alternative host. By sampling sites across an invasion front in Ireland, we quantified the influence of the introduced bank vole (Clethrionomys glareolus) on the epidemiology of infections caused by flea-transmitted haemoparasites of the genusBartonellain native wood mice (Apodemus sylvaticus).Bartonellainfections were detected on either side of the front but occurred exclusively in wood mice, despite being highly prevalent in both rodent species elsewhere in Europe. Bank vole introduction has, however, affected the wood mouse-Bartonellainteraction, with the infection prevalence of bothBartonella birtlesiiandBartonella tayloriideclining significantly with increasing bank vole density. Whilst flea prevalence in wood mice increases with wood mouse density in areas without bank voles, no such relationship is detected in invaded areas. The results are consistent with the dilution effect hypothesis. This predicts that for vector-transmitted parasites, the presence of less competent host species may reduce infection prevalence in the principal host. In addition we found a negative relationship betweenB. birtlesiiandB. tayloriiprevalences, indicating that these two microparasites may compete within hosts.


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