A preliminary investigation into the endoparasite load of the European hedgehog (Erinaceus europaeus) in Ireland

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dc.contributor.authorHaigh, Amy
dc.contributor.authorO'Keeffe, Joanne
dc.contributor.authorO'Riordan, Ruth M.
dc.contributor.authorButler, Fidelma
dc.date.accessioned2016-04-28T14:25:15Z
dc.date.available2016-04-28T14:25:15Z
dc.date.issued2013-05-16
dc.date.updated2014-06-17T00:02:18Z
dc.description.abstractThe European hedgehog is strictly protected in the Republic of Ireland but has been little studied. Carcasses, such as road kill casualties, can provide valuable information on population demographics, parasite load and general body condition. This study aimed to examine the species of endoparasites present in hedgehogs, their prevalence and intensities and whether differences occurred depending on the age and sex of the hedgehog. Carcasses were collected and examined from around Ireland, over a 3-year period. In 21 of the 23 hedgehogs examined, endoparasites were identified. The nematode species, Crenosoma triatum and Capillaria erinacei were both positively identified. C. striatium was confined to the lungs, whereas C. erinacei was the most prevalent (87%) endoparasite and occurred in the stomach and intestines. There was a significantly higher load of Crenosoma striatum observed in male hedgehogs compared to females, but no significant difference was observed in the intensity of C. erinacei between the sexes. In all tissues, a greater mean endoparasite load was observed in male hedgehogs. Sex differences in exposure or immunity to parasitism could be related to the males’ larger home range and the effects of oestrogen levels on immunity.en
dc.description.sponsorshipThomas Crawford Hayes Trust, National University of Ireland Galway (PhD Scholarship)en
dc.description.statusPeer revieweden
dc.description.versionPublished Versionen
dc.format.mimetypeapplication/pdfen
dc.identifier.citationHaigh, A., O'Keeffe, J., O'Riordan, R. M. and Butler, F. (2014) "A preliminary investigation into the endoparasite load of the European hedgehog (Erinaceus europaeus) in Ireland", Mammalia, 78(1), pp. 103-107. doi: 10.1515/mammalia-2013-0032en
dc.identifier.doihttp://dx.doi.org/10.1515/mammalia-2013-0032
dc.identifier.endpage107en
dc.identifier.issn0025-1461
dc.identifier.issued1en
dc.identifier.journaltitleMammaliaen
dc.identifier.startpage103en
dc.identifier.urihttps://hdl.handle.net/10468/2492
dc.identifier.volume78en
dc.language.isoenen
dc.publisherWalter de Gruyter GmbHen
dc.rights© 2013, Walter de Gruyter GmbH.en
dc.subjectCapillaria erinaceien
dc.subjectCrenosoma striatumen
dc.subjectErinaceus europaeusen
dc.subjectIrelanden
dc.subjectPrevalenceen
dc.titleA preliminary investigation into the endoparasite load of the European hedgehog (Erinaceus europaeus) in Irelanden
dc.typeArticle (peer-reviewed)en
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