Better Alone or in Ill Company? The Effect of Migration and Inter-Species Comingling on Fascioloides magna Infection in Elk

PLoS One. 2016 Jul 27;11(7):e0159319. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0159319. eCollection 2016.

Abstract

Migratory movements and alteration of host communities through livestock production are examples of ecological processes that may have consequences on wildlife pathogens. We studied the effect of co-grazing of cattle and wild elk, and of elk migratory behaviour on the occurrence of the giant liver fluke, Fascioloides magna, in elk. Migratory elk and elk herds with a higher proportion of migratory individuals were significantly less likely to be infected with F. magna. This may indicate a decreased risk of infection for migratory individuals, known as the "migratory escape" hypothesis. Elk herds overlapping with higher cattle densities also had a lower prevalence of this parasite, even after adjustment for landscape and climate variables known to influence its life cycle. Serological evidence suggests that even in low-prevalence areas, F. magna is circulating in both elk and cattle. Cattle are "dead-end" hosts for F. magna, and this may, therefore, indicate a dilution effect where cattle and elk are co-grazing. Migratory behaviour and host community composition have significant effects on the dynamics of this wildlife parasite; emphasizing the potential impacts of decisions regarding the management of migratory corridors and livestock-wildlife interface.

MeSH terms

  • Animal Migration*
  • Animals
  • Cattle
  • Cattle Diseases / parasitology
  • Deer / physiology*
  • Ecosystem
  • Fasciolidae / isolation & purification*
  • Feces / parasitology
  • Species Specificity
  • Trematode Infections / parasitology
  • Trematode Infections / veterinary*

Grants and funding

This work has been supported by: Alberta Innovates Bio-Solutions, Alberta Livestock and Meat Agency, the Montane Elk Research Program, the University of Calgary and the Faculty of Veterinary Medicine-University of Calgary. The funders had no role in study design, data collection and analysis, decision to publish, or preparation of the manuscript.