We investigated the endoparasite community in introduced American martens (Martes americana) across the Upper Peninsula of Michigan, U.S.A., in relation to host sex, age, and abundance. Seven parasite species were found, including 2 previously unreported protist parasites (Giardia sp. and Cryptosporidium sp.). Marten sex was unrelated to parasite species richness or prevalence. There was a negative relationship between age and parasite prevalence for 2 parasites (Alaria sp. and Capillaria putorii) and also between age and parasite species richness in male martens. There was no relationship between marten abundance and parasite species richness or between marten abundance and each parasite species' prevalence. Physaloptera maxillaris prevalence was higher in the east Upper Peninsula of Michigan, whereas Alaria sp. prevalence was higher in the west. Overall, parasite distribution in marten in the Upper Peninsula appeared influenced more by ecological factors than marten physiology or density.
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1 July 2011
Patterns of Endoparasite Infections in American Martens (Martes americana) of the Upper Peninsula of Michigan, U.S.A
Ashley M. Veine-Smith,
Jackie Bird,
Jerrold L. Belant
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Comparative Parasitology
Vol. 78 • No. 2
July 2011
Vol. 78 • No. 2
July 2011
American Marten
biogeography
endoparasites
Martes americana
Michigan