Prevalence, intensity, and geographic distribution of sinus worm (Skrjabingylus nasicola) infection in mink (Mustela vison) of central Ontario

摘要: Mink (Mustela vison Schreber, 1777) skulls (n = 630) from 18 geographic regions throughout central Ontario were examined for levels of sinus worm (Skrjabingylus nasicola (Leuckart, 1842)) infection by exposing and counting adult worms present in each cavity. Site differences both prevalence (range 55.6%–100%) intensity (2.4 ± 0.3 to 16.1 ± 2.2 per infected animal; mean ± SE) found, but neither latitudinal nor longitudinal trends apparent. Temporal not observed among selected sampled over two three consecutive trapping seasons; however, at the sites monitored, intensities increased approximately twofold. Juvenile animals either sex indicated elevated relative males, while juvenile females, significantly higher than those seen male cohort. No bias toward left or right location ...