OCCURENCE OF PROTOSTRONGYLID NEMATODES IN SYMPATRIC POPULATIONS OF MOOSE AND WHITE-TAILED DEER IN MAINE

• Main Authors: Clark, Robin A., Bowyer, R. Terry
• Format: Article in Journal/Newspaper
• Language: English
• Published: Lakehead University 1986
• Subjects: Baxter; Alces alces
• Online Access: http://alcesjournal.org/index.php/alces/article/view/1349

Occurrence of protostrongylid larvae in sympatric populations of moose (Alces alces) and white-tailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus) was studied in Baxter State Park, Piscataouis County, Maine, form January - March 1984. A significantly (P < 0.001) larger proportion of deer fecal groups (50% of 104) contained- first stage larvae than did those of moose (9.6% of 594). Larvae per gram of feces was significantly (P < 0.001) lower for moose (X̄ = 1.3, SD = 4.14) than deer (X̄ = 26.2, SD = 29.42). The proportion of moose fecal groups containing protostrongylid larvae (10.4% of 499) was higher (P = 0.054) in areas where their distribution overlapped that of deer, compared to areas without deer (5.3% of 95). Frequency of moose feces with protostrongylid larvae was significantly higher (P < 0.001) in March than other months; number of larvae per gram of feces was greatest in February. Moose and nematode may be developing a more tolerant relationship in Maine.