The effect of warble flies on reindeer fitness: a parasite removal experiment

摘要: Parasites extract part or all their resources from host depriving them of energy that could be normally used for growth, self-maintenance reproduction. Thus, parasites are playing a major role in the evolution life-history traits through direct indirect fitness costs. The current experiment investigated effect parasitic warble flies (Hypoderma tarandi), on reindeer (Rangifer tarandus tarandus). In autumn-winter 2005, 52 free-ranging female were administrated with an anti-parasite drug (treatment group), whereas 56 females remained untreated (control group). Subsequently, body mass, reproductive success and calf mass recorded summer winter following year individuals. Reproductive success, measured as probability producing offspring, was not affected by treatment. However, manipulation positively but positive trend observed calves during same season. Overall, our findings indicate have negative impact consequently, likely to affect life history population dynamics.