[The influence of Taenia taeniaeformis larval infection on morphometrical parameters of muskrat (Ondatra zibethicus)].
An investigation aimed to check the influence of Taenia taeniaeformis larvae on morphometrical parameters of muskrat (Ondatra zibethicus) was carried. A total of 30 animals were hunted down in upper Vistula river basin in south Poland, then measured, weighed and dissected. Statistical comparison were done using U Mann-Whitney test. T. taeniaeformis larvae--cysticercus fasciolaris was found in the liver of 24 muskrats (80%). Significant differences between infected and non infected animals are reported, as regards their body mass, total length, abdomen circumference (p < 0.01) and also in body length (total minus tail length), head length, or chest and neck circumference (p < 0.05). The effect of infection on both muskrat condition and the presence of adult cestodes in definitive hosts are discussed.
Kowal
Jerzy
J
Katedra Zoologii i Ekologii, Uniwersytet Rolniczy, Al. Mickiewicza 24/28, 30-059 Kraków. kowaljerzy@o2.pl
Nosał
Paweł
P
Adamczyk
Ireneusz
I
Kornaś
Sławomir
S
Wajdzik
Marek
M
Tomek
Andrzej
A
D000818:Animals; D000886:Anthropometry; D003411:Arvicolinae / Q000033:anatomy & histology* / Q000254:growth & development / Q000469:parasitology*; D006790:Host-Parasite Interactions; D007814:Larva; D008099:Liver / Q000469:parasitology / Q000473:pathology; D013621:Taenia / Q000502:physiology*; D013622:Taeniasis / Q000469:parasitology / Q000473:pathology* / Q000503:physiopathology