Parasite data and stable isotope ratios from wolves in southeastern Manitoba

Abstract

These data were used to examine the relationship between parasite abundance, host diet, and host body condition in gray wolves from southeastern Manitoba. This study, published in the Journal of Animal Ecology, found wolves that consumed a higher proportion of beaver and caribou, estimated using stable isotope mixing models, had lower cestode abundance than wolves consuming moose and deer, the predominant ungulate prey in this area, suggesting the use of these alternative prey can reduce parasite loads.