title: THE STRUCTURE AND SEASONALITY OF BAYLISASCARIS PROCYONIS POPULATIONS IN RACCOONS (PROCYON LOTOR).
abstract: Baylisascaris procyonis , the raccoon ( Procyon lotor ) ascarid, is a common roundworm parasite of raccoons that is also a well-recognized zoonotic pathogen, and a cause for conservation concern. The transmission dynamics of B. procyonis differ with host population attributes, season, and landscape. We examined how the parasite's population attributes change with season, parasite population structure, and host demographics. We examined 1,050 raccoon gastrointestinal tracts collected from 1996 to 2012. Of the 1,050 raccoons necropsied, 382 (36%) were infected with at least one B. procyonis (x¯=15.8 [95% confidence interval=13.39-18.26]; median=7; range 1-199 worms/host), and populations were overdispersed. There was a seasonal change in prevalence with a peak in October/November. Worm burdens decreased approximately 28% per month from January to June and increased approximately 31% per month from June to December. The sex structure of B. procyonis populations was female-biased (56% female). Host demographics did not impact parasite population attributes. This study provides evidence that B. procyonis populations exhibit a yearly cycle of loss and recruitment that may impact the transmission dynamics of the parasite.
authors.affiliation: 1   Wheaton College, 501 College Ave., Wheaton, Illinois 60187, USA.
authors.forename: L Kristen
authors.initials: LK
authors.lastname: Page
authors.affiliation: 1   Wheaton College, 501 College Ave., Wheaton, Illinois 60187, USA.
authors.forename: Darcie A P
authors.initials: DA
authors.lastname: Delzell
authors.affiliation: 2   The Ohio State University, 375B Kottman Hall, 2021 Coffey Road, Columbus, Ohio 43210, USA.|3   Max McGraw Wildlife Foundation, PO Box 9, West Dundee, Illinois 60118, USA.
authors.forename: Stanley D
authors.initials: SD
authors.lastname: Gehrt
authors.affiliation: 1   Wheaton College, 501 College Ave., Wheaton, Illinois 60187, USA.
authors.forename: Elise D
authors.initials: ED
authors.lastname: Harrell
authors.affiliation: 1   Wheaton College, 501 College Ave., Wheaton, Illinois 60187, USA.
authors.forename: Mark
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Hiben
authors.affiliation: 1   Wheaton College, 501 College Ave., Wheaton, Illinois 60187, USA.
authors.forename: Elizabeth
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Walter
authors.affiliation: 4   Forest Preserve District of Cook County, 536 N Harlem Ave., River Forest, Illinois 60305, USA.
authors.forename: Chris
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Anchor
authors.affiliation: 5   Purdue University College of Veterinary Medicine, 625 Harrison St., West Lafayette, Indiana 47907, USA.
authors.forename: Kevin R
authors.initials: KR
authors.lastname: Kazacos
mesh_terms: D000375:Aging; D000818:Animals; D017191:Ascaridida Infections / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000469:parasitology / Q000662:veterinary*; D001199:Ascaridoidea / Q000502:physiology*; D005260:Female; D008297:Male; D011821:Raccoons / Q000469:parasitology*; D012621:Seasons; D014481:United States / Q000453:epidemiology
keywords: Baylisascaris procyonis; nematode; population; prevalence; seasonality