Rodentolepis straminea (Cestoda: Hymenolepididae) in an urban population of Apodemus sylvaticus in the UK

J Helminthol. 2016 Jul;90(4):476-82. doi: 10.1017/S0022149X15000632. Epub 2015 Aug 17.

Abstract

The presence of the cyclophyllidean cestode Rodentolepis straminea (Cestoda: Hymenolepididae), was confirmed by molecular DNA analysis from a wood mouse (Apodemus sylvaticus) population inhabiting urban woodland in Salford, Greater Manchester (UK) with a prevalence of 27.8%. It would appear that the only previously published record of this species in A. sylvaticus in the British Isles is that from south-west Ireland, where 24% of the wood mice examined were infected with R. straminea. This species has been recorded in studies on A. sylvaticus in continental Europe. The current report represents a new record for R. straminea on mainland Britain and a first study of helminth parasites in an urban wood mouse population.

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Cestoda / anatomy & histology
  • Cestoda / classification
  • Cestoda / genetics
  • Cestoda / isolation & purification*
  • Cestode Infections / epidemiology
  • Cestode Infections / parasitology
  • Cestode Infections / veterinary*
  • Cities / epidemiology
  • DNA, Helminth / genetics
  • Mice
  • Microscopy
  • Murinae / parasitology*
  • Prevalence
  • Rodent Diseases / epidemiology*
  • Rodent Diseases / parasitology*
  • United Kingdom / epidemiology

Substances

  • DNA, Helminth