Arthropod and helminth parasites from the Plains Pocket Gopher, Geomys bursarius bursarius from the hosts' northern boundary range in Minnesota.
As part of a continuing and more general study of the diversity of parasites from subterranean mammals in central North America, individuals of the Plains Pocket Gopher, Geomys bursarius bursarius, were collected from 7 localities in northwestern Minnesota from September 1991 through October 1996. Arthropods collected included the fleas, Opisocrostis bruneri (4 of 124, 3.2%), Foxella ignota ignota (85 of 124, 68.5%); the chewing louse, Geomydoecus geomydis geomydis from 98 of 124 (79%), and larvae of the tick, Dermacentor variabilis (1 of 124, 0.8%). Nematodes found included Physaloptera limbata (2 of 118 gophers, 1.7%), Capillaria americana (4 of 118, 3.4%), and Ransomus rodentorum (31 of 118, 26.3%). Cestodes recovered included Anoplocephaloides infrequens (12 of 136 gophers, 8.8%), Anoplocephaloides variabilis (19 of 136, 14%), Andrya macrocephala (20 of 136, 14.7%), and Hymenolepis weldensis from 12 of 136, 8.8%. The acanthocephalan, Moniliformis clarki was found in 1 of 118 gophers (0.8%). No parasites were found in the cheek pouches, thoracic, or peritoneal cavities.
Bartel
M H
MH
Department of Biology, Moorhead State University, Minnesota 56563, USA.
Gardner
S L
SL
D000049:Acanthocephala / Q000302:isolation & purification; D000818:Animals; D001181:Arthropods / Q000145:classification*; D002589:Cestoda / Q000302:isolation & purification; D003870:Dermacentor; D004478:Ectoparasitic Infestations / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000469:parasitology / Q000662:veterinary*; D006374:Helminthiasis, Animal / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000469:parasitology*; D006376:Helminths / Q000145:classification* / Q000302:isolation & purification; D007411:Intestinal Diseases, Parasitic / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000469:parasitology / Q000662:veterinary*; D008910:Minnesota / Q000453:epidemiology; D009348:Nematoda / Q000302:isolation & purification; D008003:Phthiraptera; D015995:Prevalence; D012376:Rodent Diseases / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000469:parasitology*; D012377:Rodentia; D005423:Siphonaptera