title: CLIMATE AND HABITAT INFLUENCE PREVALENCE OF MENINGEAL WORM INFECTION IN NORTH DAKOTA, USA.
abstract: The meningeal worm (Parelaphostrongylus tenuis) is a parasite of white-tailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus) and is also a significant pathogen of moose (Alces alces) and other ungulates. Changes in climate or habitat may facilitate range expansion or increase the prevalence of meningeal worm infection in white-tailed deer, resulting in increased exposure to susceptible ungulates. We examined 3,730 white-tailed deer during 2002-05 to determine the prevalence and range of meningeal worm infection in North Dakota, US, and investigated whether these had changed since earlier surveys. We used multiple logistic regression to model potential effects of habitat and climate on prevalence in white-tailed deer. We also examined how habitat influences intermediate hosts by comparing gastropod abundance and microclimate among habitat types. Prevalence in deer was 14% statewide, and prevalence and geographic range had increased since the early 1990 s. Natural woodlands provided the best habitat for intermediate hosts, and increases in prevalence of infection in deer may be due to recent patterns in growing-season precipitation. This study has redefined the geographic distribution of meningeal worm infection and increased understanding of how climate and habitat influence the prevalence and distribution of this parasite.
authors.affiliation: 1  Department of Biology, University of North Dakota, 10 Cornell St., Stop 9019, Grand Forks, North Dakota 58202, USA.|2  Department of Biology, University of Mary, 7500 University Dr., Bismarck, North Dakota 58504, USA.
authors.forename: James J
authors.initials: JJ
authors.lastname: Maskey
authors.affiliation: 1  Department of Biology, University of North Dakota, 10 Cornell St., Stop 9019, Grand Forks, North Dakota 58202, USA.|3  Great Basin Institute, 16750 Mt. Rose Hwy., Reno, Nevada 89511, USA.
authors.forename: Rick A
authors.initials: RA
authors.lastname: Sweitzer
authors.affiliation: 1  Department of Biology, University of North Dakota, 10 Cornell St., Stop 9019, Grand Forks, North Dakota 58202, USA.
authors.forename: Brett J
authors.initials: BJ
authors.lastname: Goodwin
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D000835:Animals, Wild / Q000469:parasitology; D002980:Climate; D003670:Deer / Q000469:parasitology*; D017753:Ecosystem; D009658:North Dakota / Q000453:epidemiology; D015995:Prevalence; D017183:Strongylida; D017206:Strongylida Infections / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000469:parasitology / Q000662:veterinary*
keywords: Climate; Parelaphostrongylus tenuis; intermediate hosts; land cover; meningeal worm; prevalence; white-tailed deer