International Journal for Parasitology-Parasites and Wildlife最新文献

{"title":"How much do we know about the parasites of great white sharks (Carcharodon carcharias) and why they matter?","authors":"Shokoofeh Shamsi,&nbsp;Diane P. Barton","doi":"10.1016/j.ijppaw.2025.101160","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.ijppaw.2025.101160","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>There is growing recognition that excluding parasites from ecological and behavioural studies is a significant oversight, given their crucial roles in host health, energy allocation, and ecosystem function. Yet, the parasitic fauna of the great white shark (<em>Carcharodon carcharias</em>), a globally distributed apex predator, remains poorly understood. This review consolidates current knowledge of parasites infecting the great white shark and explores their potential ecological and physiological impacts. A synthesis of published literature and selected museum records revealed 116 parasite records, predominantly cestodes and copepods, with almost all studies being taxonomic in focus. Cestodes, known for their high reproductive output and metabolic demands, may influence growth, reproduction, and energy allocation, in their host, including great white sharks. Additionally, given that great white sharks acquire cestodes via prey infected with larval or infectious stages, parasite-induced changes in prey behaviour or vulnerability could bias dietary studies, an aspect largely overlooked in great white shark trophic ecology. Copepods, another frequently reported group, are known to cause tissue damage, respiratory inefficiency, and erratic swimming in fish, often requiring veterinary intervention in aquaculture. In sharks, behaviours such as breaching and tail-slapping have been speculatively linked to parasite removal, yet these assumptions overlook copepod biology and attachment mechanisms. Unsubstantiated interpretations risk perpetuating misconceptions and may hinder integration of parasitology into shark conservation strategies. This review also highlights critical knowledge gaps. For instance, several prey species consumed by great white sharks are known intermediate hosts of <em>Toxoplasma gondii</em>, a parasite capable of altering host behaviour and transmitting between intermediate hosts. Although unprovoked aggression has occasionally been reported in sharks, there are currently no data on the presence or potential effects of <em>T. gondii</em> in these apex predators as a potential intermediate/paratenic host. Clarifying such potential associations, alongside neglected areas such as embryonic infections (e.g., trebiid copepods), remains an important direction for future research. By identifying these critical knowledge gaps, we advocate for the integration of parasitological research into ecological and conservation frameworks to better understand apex predator health and ensure marine biodiversity protection.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":54278,"journal":{"name":"International Journal for Parasitology-Parasites and Wildlife","volume":"28 ","pages":"Article 101160"},"PeriodicalIF":2.2,"publicationDate":"2025-12-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145684226","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Three new species of Argathona (Isopoda: Corallanidae) from Indonesian and Malaysian Borneo, with the first records from elasmobranch hosts","authors":"Kelsey Longstaff ,&nbsp;Niel L. Bruce ,&nbsp;Nico J. Smit ,&nbsp;Kerry A. Hadfield","doi":"10.1016/j.ijppaw.2025.101157","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.ijppaw.2025.101157","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Although Borneo lies within the highly biodiverse Coral Triangle, its reported isopod diversity remains poorly documented and underexplored. This study documents four species of the corallanid isopod genus <em>Argathona</em> collected from elasmobranch hosts in Indonesian and Malaysian Borneo, namely <em>A. lineata</em>, <em>A. magnocula</em> sp. nov., <em>A. lebara</em> sp. nov., and <em>A. terputa</em> sp. nov. Specimens were identified based on detailed morphological characters. <em>Argathona magnocula</em> sp. nov. is characterised by a posteriorly elongate frontal lamina that is three times longer than its posterior width; eyes separated by ∼34 % of head width; a pleotelson with a sub-truncate posterior margin and dorsal fields of hyaline setae; and uropodal rami barely extending beyond the pleotelson. <em>Argathona lebara</em> sp. nov. is distinguished by its short, broad frontal lamina (shorter than wide), small eyes, deeply concave maxillula mesial lobe, and exceptionally long antennae reaching pereonite 7. <em>Argathona terputa</em> sp. nov. features a broadly truncate pleotelson, short antennula (extending only to the eye's posterior), and uropodal rami that do not extend past the pleotelson apex. It can be separated from <em>A. lineata</em> by its broader pleotelson margin, shorter frontal lamina, reduced setation, and the presence of two simple setae on the maxillula mesial lobe. This study describes three new species, reveals novel host associations with four elasmobranch species, and transfers <em>Alcirona grandis</em> into the genus.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":54278,"journal":{"name":"International Journal for Parasitology-Parasites and Wildlife","volume":"28 ","pages":"Article 101157"},"PeriodicalIF":2.2,"publicationDate":"2025-12-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145570745","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"The lineage diversity, spatiotemporal distribution and pathological significance of Plasmodium and Haemoproteus spp. infection of wild birds in Great Britain","authors":"Joseph P. Heaver ,&nbsp;Shinto K. John ,&nbsp;Katharina Seilern-Macpherson ,&nbsp;Simon Spiro ,&nbsp;Vicky Wilkinson ,&nbsp;Andrew A. Cunningham ,&nbsp;Becki Lawson","doi":"10.1016/j.ijppaw.2025.101148","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.ijppaw.2025.101148","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Avian haemosporidian parasites (AHPs), which include the genera <em>Plasmodium</em> and <em>Haemoproteus</em>, are protist parasites affecting at least 2000 species of birds with near global distribution. Outside of isolated, evolutionarily and immunologically naïve avian populations, the effects of AHPs on wild bird populations are poorly understood but have historically been considered benign. There is growing evidence to suggest, however, that high exoerythrocytic parasite burdens can cause disease and mortality in some host-parasite interactions, even in populations which have co-evolved alongside AHPs. Here, samples from 857 wild birds of 62 species, 27 families and eight orders were collected during post-mortem examinations over a 15-year period as part of a nationwide wildlife disease surveillance scheme and were screened by nested polymerase chain reaction (PCR) for the presence of <em>Plasmodium</em> and <em>Haemoproteus</em>. In total, liver and/or spleen tissues from 13.5 % of birds (n = 116) tested PCR-positive, comprising 8.9 % (n = 76) and 4.7 % (n = 40) infected with <em>Plasmodium</em> and <em>Haemoproteus</em> spp., respectively. The highest rates of <em>Plasmodium</em> infection were seen in the families Paridae (36.3 %; 4/11 birds examined) and Turdidae (34.5 %; 51/148), consistent with previous reports. Spatial analysis revealed a significant cluster of <em>Plasmodium</em>-positive cases in Southeast England with possible explanations including climatic effects on parasite development or spatial variation in vector abundance. A total of 30 AHP lineages (20 <em>Haemoproteus</em> spp. and 10 <em>Plasmodium</em> spp.) were detected, 23 of which have not previously been reported in Great Britain, with four being apparently novel. Tissue samples from a subset of 13 <em>Plasmodium</em>-positive Eurasian blackbirds (<em>Turdus merula</em>) underwent histopathological examination, which revealed evidence of exoerythrocytic parasites, or other lesions consistent with avian malaria, in four and five cases, respectively. These changes were considered of equivocal significance in four birds, with only one bird diagnosed with acute malaria as a contributory cause of death.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":54278,"journal":{"name":"International Journal for Parasitology-Parasites and Wildlife","volume":"28 ","pages":"Article 101148"},"PeriodicalIF":2.2,"publicationDate":"2025-12-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145570744","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Tick species diversity, seasonality and feeding behavior in small wild mammals in the northern foothills of the Dabie Mountains, China","authors":"Yin Fu ,&nbsp;Pitambar Dhakal ,&nbsp;Zi Yan ,&nbsp;Mengyao Yang ,&nbsp;Chaofeng Ma ,&nbsp;Yayun Wu ,&nbsp;Jiahui Wang ,&nbsp;Qinglin Wang ,&nbsp;Longxian Zhang","doi":"10.1016/j.ijppaw.2025.101171","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.ijppaw.2025.101171","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Small wild mammals are major carriers of ticks in the field, yet their tick-carrying status in China remains inadequately studied. To access tick infestations on small mammals, we collected 1908 ticks from 267 rodents, 27 hedgehogs and 4 hog badgers in the northern foot of Dabie Mountain, China. We identified five tick species including: <em>Haemaphysalis hystricis</em>, <em>H. flava</em>, <em>H</em>. <em>longicornis</em>, <em>Ixodes granulatus</em>, and <em>Amblyomma testudinarium</em>. Notably, this represents the first recorded occurrence of <em>H. hystricis</em>, <em>I. granulatus</em>, and <em>A. testudinarium</em> in the study region, expanding their known geographical distribution, which can serve as evidence of its expansion towards the north China. The tick species exhibited distinct seasonal activity patterns: Adult <em>H</em>. <em>hystricis</em> demonstrated activity from June to August (July peak), the larval and nymphal were present from March through December, peaking in October and September separately. For <em>H. flava</em>, adults were found from April to September (August peak), while nymphs were recorded in May, July, and September (September peak), and Larvae were detected exclusively in July. Adult <em>H. longicornis</em> peaked in July (May–September). Adult <em>I. granulatus</em> were present from June to October (June peak), and nymphal appeared in March, October, and November (November peak), with larval restricted to March and November. The nymphal of <em>A. testudinarium</em> were collected during June and August (August peak). Ticks showed clear host preferences: The larvae and nymphs of <em>H. hystricis</em> exclusively infested rodents (particularly <em>Niviventer</em> and <em>Rattus</em>), while adults primarily parasitized hog badgers. Both <em>H. longicornis</em> and <em>H. flava</em> infested mainly burdens on hedgehogs. Moreover, the <em>I. granulatus</em>, and <em>A. testudinarium</em> only in rodents and hedgehogs separately. The study reminds us that ticks may be more widely distributed in Chinese wildlife, therefore, more attention needs to be paid to ticks on wild animals in the future.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":54278,"journal":{"name":"International Journal for Parasitology-Parasites and Wildlife","volume":"28 ","pages":"Article 101171"},"PeriodicalIF":2.2,"publicationDate":"2025-12-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145617140","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Reports of Lipoptena fortisetosa on dogs and in the environment, and evidence of its widespread establishment in Hungary","authors":"Adrienn Gréta Tóth ,&nbsp;Attila Bende ,&nbsp;Sándor Hornok ,&nbsp;Zsombor Wagenhoffer ,&nbsp;Balázs Szulyovszky ,&nbsp;Viktória Galla ,&nbsp;Petra Vöröskői ,&nbsp;Gergő Keve","doi":"10.1016/j.ijppaw.2025.101161","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.ijppaw.2025.101161","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div><em>Lipoptena fortisetosa</em> is a louse fly of East Asian origin that is considered a potential vector of several pathogenic bacteria and is most commonly associated with deer (Cervidae). The species has been detected in multiple countries in Europe; however, its exact distribution range is unknown. A single individual was detected on a dog at a veterinary clinic in Budapest, Hungary, where the presence of this species had not been confirmed previously. After acquiring information regarding the recent whereabouts of the dog, targeted louse fly collection with insect nets was performed in a forest in Central Transdanubia. Of the 30 flying, unfed specimens of <em>Lipoptena</em> spp., 23 were morphologically identified as <em>L</em>. <em>fortisetosa.</em> Following this, louse fly collections have been conducted across Hungary during the fall of 2025, including the collection of two additional specimens from a dog. According to these results, <em>L. fortisetosa</em> is established in several regions of the country, and this parasite can be effectively transported by dogs. The molecular analyses further confirmed the results, and the distinction between <em>L. fortisetosa</em> and <em>Lipoptena cervi.</em> The findings draw attention to the potential medical and veterinary significance of the emergence of novel vectors that may have been introduced through animal transport.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":54278,"journal":{"name":"International Journal for Parasitology-Parasites and Wildlife","volume":"28 ","pages":"Article 101161"},"PeriodicalIF":2.2,"publicationDate":"2025-12-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145617135","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Priority vs. tradition—Tracheliastes polycolpus von Nordmann, 1832 (Copepoda: Lernaeopodidae) revisited!","authors":"Wojciech Piasecki ,&nbsp;Geoffrey A. Boxshall","doi":"10.1016/j.ijppaw.2025.101151","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.ijppaw.2025.101151","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>This paper represents a rare case in parasitology where a reversal of the Principle of Priority of the International Code of Zoological Nomenclature (ICZN) would be beneficial to all users, including not only scientists but also the general public. In some rare cases, a long-established name turns out to be a junior synonym when an older, less-known name claims the priority. Unfortunately, such situations have the potential to disrupt intergenerational continuity of parasitological nomenclature. After 193 years, one of the best-known European fish parasites could have lost its well-established name in favor of its senior synonym, long forgotten by history and predating the now junior synonym by 49 years. The parasite under scrutiny is <em>Tracheliastes polycolpus</em> von Nordmann, 1832. In the interest of nomenclatural stability, however, we propose to maintain prevailing usage by reversal of precedence under Article 23.9 of the Code. Our paper, in addition to its taxonomic aspects, may have a profound effect on the use of this name in parasitology, zoology, and the study of fish diseases.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":54278,"journal":{"name":"International Journal for Parasitology-Parasites and Wildlife","volume":"28 ","pages":"Article 101151"},"PeriodicalIF":2.2,"publicationDate":"2025-12-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145415841","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Insights into Campula oblonga (Digenea: Brachycladiidae): Morphological, phylogenetic, and pathological studies in narrow-ridged finless porpoise (Neophocaena asiaeorientalis) from Korean waters","authors":"Sunmin Kim ,&nbsp;Yeseul Kang ,&nbsp;Heon Woo Lee ,&nbsp;Emmanuel Opara ,&nbsp;Mohammed Mebarek Bia ,&nbsp;Kyunglee Lee ,&nbsp;Hyunjoo Lee ,&nbsp;Min Ju Kim ,&nbsp;Youngran Lee ,&nbsp;Soochong Kim ,&nbsp;Sanggu Kim ,&nbsp;Sun Hee Do ,&nbsp;Sang Wha Kim ,&nbsp;Young Min Lee ,&nbsp;Sung Bin Lee ,&nbsp;Se Chang Park ,&nbsp;Byung Yeop Kim ,&nbsp;Seongjun Choe ,&nbsp;Heejeong Youn","doi":"10.1016/j.ijppaw.2025.101145","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.ijppaw.2025.101145","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Various marine parasites exploit marine mammals as definitive hosts; however, comprehensive parasitological studies remain lacking because of the inherent challenges in host sampling. This study aimed to investigate the pathological effects of <em>Campula oblonga</em> on the hepatobiliary system of the narrow-ridged finless porpoise (<em>Neophocaena asiaeorientalis</em>). We detected a digenean species, <em>C. oblonga</em>, in the hepatobiliary systems of 143 out of 196 (72.96 %) narrow-ridged finless porpoises stranded, bycaught or drifting along the Korean coastline between 2016 and 2024. The morphological analysis confirmed the characteristics of <em>C. oblonga</em>. Phylogenetic analyses based on partial mitochondrial DNA NADH dehydrogenase subunit 3 and large subunit rRNA regions supported previous findings, underscoring the need for a more in-depth genetic characterization of the family Brachycladiidae, a significant digenean group in marine mammals. Gross evaluation revealed hepatic nodules, irregular thickening of the bile duct walls, and signs of cholestasis due to physical obstruction by trematodes. These lesions were observed exclusively in the livers of individuals infected with <em>C. oblonga</em> and were absent in uninfected animals. In some cases, abscess-like lesions and pus-like material within the bile ducts were noted macroscopically, although histologic evidence of suppurative inflammation was lacking. Histopathological examinations identified bile duct dilatation accompanied by granulomatous cholangitis with periductal fibrosis, as well as hepatic granulomas centered on trematode parasites and eggs, surrounded by fibrous connective tissue. These lesions corresponded to grossly observed hepatic nodules and bile duct wall thickening, reflecting chronic inflammatory responses to trematode infection. This study represents the first report of pathological lesions caused by <em>C. oblonga</em> in narrow-ridged finless porpoises and highlights the significance of further investigation involving additional host species to enhance the understanding of this taxonomic group.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":54278,"journal":{"name":"International Journal for Parasitology-Parasites and Wildlife","volume":"28 ","pages":"Article 101145"},"PeriodicalIF":2.2,"publicationDate":"2025-12-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145361720","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Molecular confirmation of Spirometra mansoni (Cestoda: Diphyllobothriidae) in Javanese keelback water snake (Fowlea melanzosta) in Indonesia","authors":"Ryanka Edila ,&nbsp;Seongjun Choe ,&nbsp;Mustofa Helmi Effendi ,&nbsp;Lucia Tri Suwanti ,&nbsp;John Yew Huat Tang","doi":"10.1016/j.ijppaw.2025.101150","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.ijppaw.2025.101150","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Tapeworms of the genus <em>Spirometra</em> are important zoonotic parasites, yet their taxonomy remains unsettled and molecular species-level data from Indonesia are scarce. We examined plerocercoid larvae isolated from Javanese keelback water snakes (<em>Fowlea melanzosta</em>) collected in East Java, Indonesia. Infection prevalence in <em>F. melanzosta</em> was high (84 %), with 143 spargana recovered from subcutaneous tissues, musculatures, and the body cavities of 25 snakes. Morphological and histological features were consistent with <em>Spirometra</em>. Molecular analysis was used for accurate species-level identification. Partial mitochondrial cox1 sequences from five isolates were generated and analyzed phylogenetically. All sequences clustered unambiguously within the <em>S. mansoni</em> clade (PP = 0.99), alongside global reference isolates. Our analysis also reclassified a 2007 Indonesian isolate, previously assigned to <em>S. erinaceieuropaei</em>, as <em>S. mansoni</em>, retrospectively clarifying a misidentification. This study provides the first prospective molecular confirmation of <em>S. mansoni</em> in Indonesia, and underscores the role of semi-aquatic snakes in transmission cycles. These findings highlight the urgent need for expanded molecular surveillance and integrative taxonomy to clarify the epidemiology and zoonotic potential of <em>Spirometra</em> in the region.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":54278,"journal":{"name":"International Journal for Parasitology-Parasites and Wildlife","volume":"28 ","pages":"Article 101150"},"PeriodicalIF":2.2,"publicationDate":"2025-12-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145361721","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Mammal community composition and season determine the abundance of questing ticks in mountainous forests of central Japan","authors":"Hayato Iijima ,&nbsp;Kaori Morishima ,&nbsp;Hirotaka Komine ,&nbsp;Yuya Watari ,&nbsp;Kandai Doi ,&nbsp;Kimiko Okabe","doi":"10.1016/j.ijppaw.2025.101120","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.ijppaw.2025.101120","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Understanding the ecological drivers of tick abundance is crucial to mitigate the growing risk of tick-borne diseases such as severe fever with thrombocytopenia syndrome (SFTS) in Japan. This study investigates how mammal community composition and seasonality affect the abundance of questing ticks in mountainous forests of Gifu Prefecture, a border region of the SFTS endemic zone. Camera traps were used to monitor mammal species, and questing ticks were collected monthly via flagging along transects in 10 forest plots during 2021–2022. We recorded 14 mammal species including small-sized mammals like mice, medium-sized mammals like raccoon dog (<em>Nyctereutes viverrinus</em>), and large-sized mammals like wild boar (<em>Sus scrofa</em>). Among them, sika deer (<em>Cervus nippon</em>) was the most abundant. A total of 408 adult, 292 nymphal, and 1480 larval ticks representing 11 species (five <em>Haemaphysalis</em> species, five <em>Ixodes</em> species, and <em>Amblyomma testudinarium</em>) were collected. Generalized linear mixed models revealed that the abundance of adult <em>Haemaphysalis kitaokai</em> and <em>H. megaspinosa</em>, and nymphal <em>H. flava</em> and <em>H. megaspinosa</em> were significantly associated with sika deer abundance. Seasonal patterns varied by species and life stage, with <em>H. kitaokai</em> adults peaking in spring and early winter, and <em>H. megaspinosa</em> adults and nymphs in autumn. Wild boar abundance did not significantly influence tick numbers. These findings highlight the importance of sika deer as a key host driving tick population dynamics and underscore the role of host-targeted management, particularly deer population control, as a potential strategy to reduce tick density and related disease risks. Long-term monitoring is essential given ongoing climate and land-use changes that may alter tick phenology and distribution. Our results contribute to region-specific understanding of tick ecology and support the development of effective, ecologically informed countermeasures against tick-borne diseases in Japan.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":54278,"journal":{"name":"International Journal for Parasitology-Parasites and Wildlife","volume":"28 ","pages":"Article 101120"},"PeriodicalIF":2.0,"publicationDate":"2025-12-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144703157","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Host dietary niche and site location on the river continuum shape trematode (Renifer aniarum) infection patterns in sympatric watersnakes (Nerodia spp.)","authors":"M.J. Janecka ,&nbsp;D.R. Clark ,&nbsp;O. Duthoy ,&nbsp;C.D. Criscione","doi":"10.1016/j.ijppaw.2025.101144","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.ijppaw.2025.101144","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Although parasite probability of infection and intensity are central to understanding parasite distributions and their ecological and evolutionary impacts, the drivers of these parameters remain poorly understood. At a local scale, we examined how host dietary niche partitioning and river landscape processes influence infections of the trematode <em>Renifer aniarum</em> in a community of watersnakes (<em>Nerodia</em> spp.). Host-specific dietary preferences and body size (SVL) were associated with infection probability among sympatric congeners. However, contrary to predictions of the stream drift hypothesis, infection probability increased with distance upstream. Infection intensity, in contrast, was unrelated to stream position and less predictable across host species. Thus, infection probability and intensity were heterogeneous among host species and across the river system. These results highlight that, even at local scales, multiple factors can distinctly shape the infection dynamics of a generalist parasite across closely related, co-occurring hosts.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":54278,"journal":{"name":"International Journal for Parasitology-Parasites and Wildlife","volume":"28 ","pages":"Article 101144"},"PeriodicalIF":2.2,"publicationDate":"2025-12-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145219825","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}