Abstract
Seventy-four European hedgehogs (Erinaceus europaeus) that had died in wildlife rehabilitation centres were dissected and their parasite burdens documented. Overall parasite prevalence was 91%, and a total of six helminth species were isolated: five nematodes (Crenosoma striatum, Eucoleus aerophilus, Capillaria erinacei, Capillaria ovoreticulata and Capillaria spp.), one trematode (Brachylaemus erinacei) and one acanthocephalan (Oliganthorhynchus erinacei). The tick Ixodes hexagonus and flea Archeopsylla erinacei were also collected. The effect of parasite infection on body condition was assessed by correlation of burdens with the residuals of weight–skeletal length regression. Tick presence was positively related to body condition; for other parasites, no significant relationship was found. Faecal egg or larval count was closely correlated with adult parasite burden for C. striatum and Capillaria/Eucoleus spp., but not for other species. Coprological analysis should therefore be useful for in vivo studies of nematode parasite infection in hedgehogs. The epidemiology of parasites in hedgehogs and their possible role in recent population declines are discussed.
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Gaglio, G., Allen, S., Bowden, L. et al. Parasites of European hedgehogs (Erinaceus europaeus) in Britain: epidemiological study and coprological test evaluation. Eur J Wildl Res 56, 839–844 (2010). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10344-010-0381-1
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10344-010-0381-1