Pauli Jonathan N, Dubay Shelli A, Anderson Eric M, Taft Stephen J
Department of Biology, University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point, Stevens Point, Wisconsin 54481, USA.
J Wildl Dis. 2004 Jul;40(3):579-82. doi: 10.7589/0090-3558-40.3.579.
Within North America, northern (Glaucomys sabrinus) and southern (Glaucomys volans) flying squirrels occupy distinct ranges with limited overlap. Sympatry in northern latitudes coincides with northern hardwood vegetation from Minnesota to New England. Strongyloides robustus is an intestinal parasite that infects both species but appears to be deleterious only to northern flying squirrels. As a result, S. robustus could be a critical determinant of flying squirrel population characteristics in at least some areas of sympatry. However, cold weather could potentially limit the distribution of S. robustus in northern climates. Therefore, we assessed fecal samples from both flying squirrel species to determine the presence of the nematode in Wisconsin. Strongyloides robustus was found in 12 flying squirrel scat samples and infected 52% of southern flying squirrels and 11% of northern flying squirrels. Prevalence of S. robustus infection for northern flying squirrels was substantially lower than previously reported from more southern regions. This is the northernmost documentation of S. robustus in flying squirrels and the first documentation of S. robustus parasitizing flying squirrels in Wisconsin.
在北美，北方飞鼠（北美飞鼠）和南方飞鼠（美洲飞鼠）占据着不同的分布范围，重叠区域有限。在北纬地区的同域分布与从明尼苏达到新英格兰的北方硬木植被区域相吻合。粗壮类圆线虫是一种肠道寄生虫，可感染这两个物种，但似乎仅对北方飞鼠有害。因此，在至少一些同域分布区域，粗壮类圆线虫可能是飞鼠种群特征的关键决定因素。然而，寒冷天气可能会限制粗壮类圆线虫在北方气候中的分布。因此，我们评估了两种飞鼠的粪便样本，以确定威斯康星州是否存在这种线虫。在12份飞鼠粪便样本中发现了粗壮类圆线虫，感染了52%的南方飞鼠和11%的北方飞鼠。北方飞鼠的粗壮类圆线虫感染率远低于此前在更南部地区的报道。这是飞鼠体内粗壮类圆线虫在最北地区的记录，也是该线虫寄生威斯康星州飞鼠的首次记录。
