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Inter- and intra-specific exposure to parasites and pathogens via the faecal–oral route: a consequence of behaviour in a patchy environment

  • L. A. SMITH (a1), G. MARION (a2), D. L. SWAIN (a3), P. C. L. WHITE (a4) and M. R. HUTCHINGS (a1)...

Summary

Livestock herbivores are at risk of inter- and intra-specific exposure to parasites/pathogens via the faecal–oral route during grazing. Each contact between livestock and faeces in the environment is a potential parasite/pathogen transmission event. Cattle grazing contact with faeces varies in relation to the species depositing the faeces and the distribution of the faeces. We used a foraging model to simulate the grazing behaviour of beef cattle in two grazing systems to compare the relative inter-specific and intra-specific exposure risks to parasites/pathogens. Overall, there is a greater level of intra- vs. inter-specific risk via the faecal–oral route. However, under certain conditions, particularly for microparasite infections, e.g. paratuberculosis in rabbits and bovine tuberculosis in badgers, wildlife may pose a significant exposure risk to parasites/pathogens. These risks can be enhanced when cattle are first turned out onto pasture and in situations where intra-specific variations in wildlife behaviour result in more dispersed defecation patterns.

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Copyright

COPYRIGHT: © 2008 Cambridge University Press

Corresponding author

*Author for correspondence: Dr L. A. Smith, Department of Psychology, University of Stirling, Stirling FK9 4LA, UK. (Email: l.a.smith@stir.ac.uk)

References

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  • Cited by 5

  • Access

Inter- and intra-specific exposure to parasites and pathogens via the faecal–oral route: a consequence of behaviour in a patchy environment

  • L. A. SMITH (a1), G. MARION (a2), D. L. SWAIN (a3), P. C. L. WHITE (a4) and M. R. HUTCHINGS (a1)...

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