Recolonizing gray wolves increase parasite infection risk in their prey

摘要: The recent recolonization of Central Europe by the European gray wolf (Canis lupus) provides an opportunity to study dynamics parasite transmission for cases when a definitive host returns after phase local extinction. We investigated whether newly established population increased prevalence those parasites in ungulate intermediate hosts representing prey, some species are particularly well adapted wolves, and potential basis such adaptations. recorded Sarcocystis richness wolves ungulates harvested sites with without permanent presence Germany using microscopy DNA metabarcoding. red deer (Cervus elaphus) was significantly higher areas (79.7%) than control (26.3%) but not roe (Capreolus capreolus) (97.2% vs. 90.4%) or wild boar (Sus scrofa) (82.8% 64.9%). Of 11 species, taeniata grueneri occurred more often expected from infection patterns prey. Both showed increase other suggesting that they examples "wolf specialists". pups adults. "Wolf specialists" persisted during maturation. results this demonstrate (1) predator-prey interactions influence prevalence, if both predator prey part life cycle, (2) mesopredators do necessarily replace apex particular which is host, even meso- predators were same taxonomic family (here: Canidae, e.g., foxes Vulpes vulpes), (3) age-dependent immune maturation contributes protozoan wolves.