dc.contributor.author |
Viljoen, Hermien
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dc.contributor.author |
Bennett, Nigel Charles
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dc.contributor.author |
Ueckermann, Edward A.
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dc.contributor.author |
Lutermann, Heike
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dc.date.accessioned |
2011-11-28T07:40:13Z |
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dc.date.available |
2011-11-28T07:40:13Z |
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dc.date.issued |
2011-11-01 |
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dc.description.abstract |
The distribution of parasites among hosts is often characterised by a high degree of heterogeneity with a small number of
hosts harbouring the majority of parasites. Such patterns of aggregation have been linked to variation in host exposure and
susceptibility as well as parasite traits and environmental factors. Host exposure and susceptibility may differ with sexes,
reproductive effort and group size. Furthermore, environmental factors may affect both the host and parasite directly and
contribute to temporal heterogeneities in parasite loads. We investigated the contributions of host and parasite traits as
well as season on parasite loads in highveld mole-rats (Cryptomys hottentotus pretoriae). This cooperative breeder exhibits a
reproductive division of labour and animals live in colonies of varying sizes that procreate seasonally. Mole-rats were
parasitised by lice, mites, cestodes and nematodes with mites (Androlaelaps sp.) and cestodes (Mathevotaenia sp.) being the
dominant ecto- and endoparasites, respectively. Sex and reproductive status contributed little to the observed parasite
prevalence and abundances possibly as a result of the shared burrow system. Clear seasonal patterns of parasite prevalence
and abundance emerged with peaks in summer for mites and in winter for cestodes. Group size correlated negatively with
mite abundance while it had no effect on cestode burdens and group membership affected infestation with both parasites.
We propose that the mode of transmission as well as social factors constrain parasite propagation generating parasite
patterns deviating from those commonly predicted. |
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dc.description.librarian |
ab2012 |
en |
dc.description.sponsorship |
This project was funded by the DST-NRF (Department of Science and Technology - National Research Foundation) South African Research Chair for
Behavioural Ecology and Physiology to NC Bennett. |
en |
dc.description.uri |
http://www.plosone.org |
en |
dc.identifier.citation |
Viljoen H, Bennett NC, Ueckermann EA, Lutermann H (2011) The Role of Host Traits, Season and Group Size on Parasite Burdens in a Cooperative Mammal. PLoS ONE 6(11): e27003. DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0027003 |
en |
dc.identifier.issn |
1932-6203 |
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dc.identifier.other |
10.1371/journal.pone.0027003 |
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dc.identifier.uri |
http://hdl.handle.net/2263/17666 |
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dc.language.iso |
en |
en |
dc.publisher |
Public Library of Science |
en |
dc.rights |
© 2011 Viljoen et al. This is an open-access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License, which permits
unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original author and source are credited. |
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dc.subject |
Gastrointestinal parasites |
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dc.subject |
Parasite burdens |
en |
dc.subject |
Host exposure and susceptibility |
en |
dc.subject |
Season on parasite loads |
en |
dc.subject |
Host and parasite traits |
en |
dc.subject |
Highveld mole-rats (Cryptomys hottentotus pretoriae) |
en |
dc.subject.lcsh |
Mammals |
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dc.subject.lcsh |
Parasites |
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dc.subject.lcsh |
Veterinary parasitology |
en |
dc.title |
The role of host traits, season and group size on parasite burdens in a cooperative mammal |
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dc.type |
Article |
en |