Large-bodied gastric spirurids (Nematoda, Spirurida) predict structure in the downstream gastrointestinal helminth community of wild spiny mice (Acomys dimidiatus)

Behnke, Jerzy; Jackson, Joseph; Gilbert, Francis; Mohallal, Eman; Bajer, Anna

Abstract

The dominant helminths infecting spiny mice (Acomys dimidiatus) in the montane wadis of the Sinai Peninsula of Egypt are spirurid nematodes, notably Protospirura muricola and Mastophorus muris. Both are relatively large robust stomach worms that accumulate in hosts resulting in high worm burdens. To ascertain whether the presence of spirurid worms or their burdens alters the host’s likelihood of infection with other helminth species, we analysed a database containing quantitative data on helminth parasites of these mice (n=431). This comprised worm burdens recorded during four surveys, conducted at four-year intervals, in four wadis, during late summer of each year. The presence of spirurid worms did not significantly alter species richness with other helminth species nor the likelihood of mice carrying other nematode species. However, there was a significant association, particularly of P. muricola, with the presence of intestinal stages of cestodes, and with the acanthocephalan Moniliformis acomysi. After controlling for intrinsic and extrinsic factors, mice harbouring spirurid worms had greater worm burdens of other helminths compared with mice without spirurids. Moreover, spirurid worm burdens showed significant positive covariation with similarly adjusted species richness of other helminths, non-spirurid helminth, non-spirurid nematode, oxyuroid nematode and intestinal-stage cestode worm burdens. We interpret these results as indicating that the key driver for co-occurrence of spirurids with other helminths is likely to be transmission via common arthropod hosts (spirurids, cestodes and acanthocephalans), but also that mice carrying the heavier spirurid worm burdens become more susceptible to directly transmitted nematodes such as the Oxyuroidea.

Citation

Behnke, J., Jackson, J., Gilbert, F., Mohallal, E., & Bajer, A. (in press). Large-bodied gastric spirurids (Nematoda, Spirurida) predict structure in the downstream gastrointestinal helminth community of wild spiny mice (Acomys dimidiatus). Parasitology,

• Journal Article Type: Article
• Acceptance Date: Jun 5, 2024
• Deposit Date: Jun 6, 2024
• Journal: Parasitology
• Print ISSN: 0031-1820
• Publisher: Cambridge University Press (CUP)
• Peer Reviewed: Peer Reviewed
• Additional Information: Full bibliographic details to follow when published in an issue