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Local variation in helminth burdens of Egyptian spiny mice (Acomys cahirinus dimidiatus) from ecologically similar sites: relationships with hormone concentrations and social behaviour

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  12 April 2024

C.J. Barnard ,
E. Sayed ,
L.E. Barnard ,
J.M. Behnke ,
I. Abdel Nabi ,
N. Sherif ,
A. Shutt  and
S. Zalat
C.J. Barnard*
Affiliation:
Animal Behaviour and Ecology Research Group, School of Life and Environmental Sciences, University of Nottingham, University Park, Nottingham, NG7 2RD, UK
E. Sayed
Affiliation:
Department of Zoology, Faculty of Science, Suez Canal University, Ismailia, Egypt
L.E. Barnard*
Affiliation:
Animal Behaviour and Ecology Research Group, School of Life and Environmental Sciences, University of Nottingham, University Park, Nottingham, NG7 2RD, UK
J.M. Behnke
Affiliation:
Infection and Immunity Research Group, School of Life and Environmental Sciences, University of Nottingham, University Park, Nottingham, NG7 2RD, UK
I. Abdel Nabi
Affiliation:
Department of Zoology, Faculty of Science, Suez Canal University, Ismailia, Egypt
N. Sherif
Affiliation:
Department of Zoology, Faculty of Science, Suez Canal University, Ismailia, Egypt
A. Shutt
Affiliation:
Infection and Immunity Research Group, School of Life and Environmental Sciences, University of Nottingham, University Park, Nottingham, NG7 2RD, UK
S. Zalat
Affiliation:
Department of Zoology, Faculty of Science, Suez Canal University, Ismailia, Egypt
*
*Fax: (++44) 115 9513251 E-mail: christopher.barnard@notingham.ac.uk
†Current address: Epidemiology Group, Faculty of Veterinary Science, University of Liverpool, Leahurst, Neston, Cheshire, CH64 7TE, UK
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Abstract

Populations of Egyptian spiny mice (Acomys cahirinus dimidiatus) in a fragmented montane wadi system in the Sinai showed significant differences in the abundance of gut helminths. Differences in parasite load between populations were positively associated with measures of androgen activity but showed no significant relationship with glucocorticoid activity. Social discrimination tests with adult males from different wadis showed that those from sites with greater helminth abundance were less likely to investigate odours from other males and were less aggressive when subsequently interacting with the odour donors. Subjects showed markedly more investigation towards the odours of males from distant wadis compared with those from their own or immediately neighbouring wadi, but were less aggressive when confronted with odour donors from distant wadis. Despite this, there was a positive relationship between the amount of investigation towards distant male odour and subsequent aggression towards the male. While aggressiveness was positively associated with measures of androgen and glucocorticoid activity, no significant relationship emerged with individual helminth infection. Thus aggressiveness appeared to relate to overall local population levels of infection rather than individual challenge.

Type
Review Article
Information
Journal of Helminthology , Volume 77 , Issue 3 , September 2003 , pp. 197 - 207
Copyright
Copyright © Cambridge University Press 2003

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