Population Biology of Heligmosomoides polygyrus (Nematoda) in the Wood Mouse

• DOI: 10.2307/5628
• Publication Date: 2006-06-17T19:47:43Z
• Authors: R.D. Gregory; S.S.J. Montgomery; W.I. Montgomery
• Keywords: 0106 biological sciences; 0301 basic medicine; 03 medical and health sciences; 01 natural sciences; 630

This paper examines the interaction between the wood mouse, Apodemus sylvaticus L., and the intestinal nematode, Heligmosomoides polygyrus Dujardin, using data collected at Tollymore Park Forest, Co. Down, Northern Ireland, between November 1978 and July 1981. A total of 1395 mice were collected, comprising 809 (58%) male and 582 (42%) female wood mice (four individuals were not sexed); 86% of mice were infected by H. polygyrus. Mean worm burden was around 12 worms per mouse. Worm burdens did not differ with sex. Parasites were highly overdispersed within the host population