title: Better Alone or in Ill Company? The Effect of Migration and Inter-Species Comingling on Fascioloides magna Infection in Elk.
abstract: Migratory movements and alteration of host communities through livestock production are examples of ecological processes that may have consequences on wildlife pathogens. We studied the effect of co-grazing of cattle and wild elk, and of elk migratory behaviour on the occurrence of the giant liver fluke, Fascioloides magna, in elk. Migratory elk and elk herds with a higher proportion of migratory individuals were significantly less likely to be infected with F. magna. This may indicate a decreased risk of infection for migratory individuals, known as the "migratory escape" hypothesis. Elk herds overlapping with higher cattle densities also had a lower prevalence of this parasite, even after adjustment for landscape and climate variables known to influence its life cycle. Serological evidence suggests that even in low-prevalence areas, F. magna is circulating in both elk and cattle. Cattle are "dead-end" hosts for F. magna, and this may, therefore, indicate a dilution effect where cattle and elk are co-grazing. Migratory behaviour and host community composition have significant effects on the dynamics of this wildlife parasite; emphasizing the potential impacts of decisions regarding the management of migratory corridors and livestock-wildlife interface.
authors.affiliation: Wildlife Health and Health Policy Program, Wildlife Conservation Society (WCS), Phnom Penh, Cambodia.
authors.forename: Mathieu
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Pruvot
authors.affiliation: Canadian Wildlife Health Cooperative (CWHC), Calgary, Alberta, Canada.
authors.forename: Manigandan
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Lejeune
authors.affiliation: Canadian Wildlife Health Cooperative (CWHC), Calgary, Alberta, Canada.|Department of Ecosystem and Public Health, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine University of Calgary (UCVM), Calgary, Alberta, Canada.
authors.forename: Susan
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Kutz
authors.affiliation: Department of Microbiology and Infectious Diseases, Faculty of Medicine, University of Calgary, Calgary, Alberta, Canada.
authors.forename: Wendy
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Hutchins
authors.affiliation: Department of Ecosystem and Public Health, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine University of Calgary (UCVM), Calgary, Alberta, Canada.|Faculty of Environmental Design, University of Calgary, Calgary, Alberta, Canada.
authors.forename: Marco
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Musiani
authors.affiliation: Department of Ecosystem and Public Health, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine University of Calgary (UCVM), Calgary, Alberta, Canada.
authors.forename: Alessandro
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Massolo
authors.affiliation: Department of Production Animal Health, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine University of Calgary (UCVM), Calgary, Alberta, Canada.
authors.forename: Karin
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Orsel
mesh_terms: D025041:Animal Migration; D000818:Animals; D002417:Cattle; D002418:Cattle Diseases / Q000469:parasitology; D003670:Deer / Q000502:physiology*; D017753:Ecosystem; D005212:Fasciolidae / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D005243:Feces / Q000469:parasitology; D013045:Species Specificity; D014201:Trematode Infections / Q000469:parasitology / Q000662:veterinary*