title: Reduced helminth parasitism in the introduced bank vole (Myodes glareolus): More parasites lost than gained.
abstract: Introduced species are often less parasitised compared to their native counterparts and to ecologically similar hosts in the new environment. Reduced parasitism may come about due to both the loss of original parasites and low acquisition of novel parasites. In this study we investigated the intestinal helminth parasites of the introduced bank vole (Myodes glareolus) in Ireland. Results were compared to data from other European studies and to the intestinal helminth fauna of an ecologically similar native rodent in Ireland, the wood mouse (Apodemus sylvaticus). The helminth fauna of introduced bank voles exhibited low diversity with only 3 species recovered: Aspiculuris tianjinensis; Aonchotheca murissylvatici and Taenia martis larvae. In particular, no adult parasites with indirect life-cycles were found in bank voles suggesting that indirectly transmitted parasites are less likely to establish in invasive hosts. Also, the results of this study add support to the enemy release hypothesis.
authors.affiliation: Department of Zoology, School of Natural Sciences, Trinity College Dublin, Ireland.
authors.forename: Karen C
authors.initials: KC
authors.lastname: Loxton
authors.affiliation: School of Natural Sciences, National University of Ireland Galway, Ireland.
authors.forename: Colin
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Lawton
authors.affiliation: Department of Zoology, School of Natural Sciences, Trinity College Dublin, Ireland.
authors.forename: Peter
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Stafford
authors.affiliation: Department of Zoology, School of Natural Sciences, Trinity College Dublin, Ireland.
authors.forename: Celia V
authors.initials: CV
authors.lastname: Holland
keywords: Helminth parasite; Introduced species; Myodes glareolus