Arthropod and Helminth Parasites from the Plains Pocket Gopher, Geomys bursarius bursarius from the Hosts' Northern Boundary Range in Minnesota

Authors

Monroe H. Bartel, Moorehead State University
Scott Lyell Gardner, University of Nebraska - LincolnFollow

Date of this Version

2-1-2000

Comments

Published in the Journal of Parasitology, v. 86, no. 1 (2000): 153-156. Copyright 2000, the American Society of Parasitologists. Used by permission.

Abstract

As part of a continuing and more general study of the diversity of parasites from subterranean mammals in central North America, individuals of the Plains pocket gopher, Geomys bursarius bursarius, were collected from 7 localities in northwestern Minnesota from September 1991 through October 1996. Arthropods collected included the fleas, Opisocrostis bruneri (4 of 124, 3.20/0), Foxella ignota ignota (85 of 124, 68.50/0); the chewing louse, Geomydoecus geomydis geomydis from 98 of 124 (790/0), and larvae of the tick, Dermacentor variabilis (1 of 124, 0.8%). Nematodes found included Physaloptera limbata (2 of 118 gophers, 1.7%), Capillaria americana (4 of 118, 3.40/0), and Ransomus rodentorum (31 of 118, 26.30/0). Cestodes recovered included Anoplocephaloides infrequens (12 of 136 gophers, 8.8%), Anoplocephaloides variabilis (19 of 136, 140/0), Andrya macrocephala (20 of 136, 14.7%), and Hymenolepis weldensis from 12 of 136, 8.80/0. The acanthocephalan, Moniliformis clarki, was found in 1 of 118 gophers (0.8%). No parasites were found in the cheek pouches, thoracic, or peritoneal cavities.