Macroparasites of Domestic Dogs and Wild Cats on Costa Rica’s Osa Peninsula: How Do Spatial Heterogeneity and Host Movement Influence Infection Dynamics?

Abstract

Spillover from domestic host reservoirs can initiate epidemic outbreaks in small, wild populations (Alexander et al., 2010; Cleaveland et al., 2007; Haydon et al., 2002). Macroparasite transmission within a wild/domestic host community has not been well studied. Macroparasites can exert considerable top-down regulatory effects on host populations, and many macroparasites of domestic dogs are able to infect multiple species (Haydon et al., 2002; Dobson & Hudson, 1992; Hudson, Dobson & Newborn, 1992; Hudson, Newborn & Dobson, 1992; Anderson & May, 1978; May & Anderson, 1978; Olsen, 1986). My study explored patterns of macroparasite infection on the Osa Peninsula, Costa Rica. This study area is home to over a dozen small populations of domestic dogs and to five wild felid species. Flotation analysis was used to characterize the macroparasite community infecting domestic dog and wild felid hosts. Five parasite species were identified in domestic dogs and two of the same species were identified in wild felids. Numerous statistical associations were identified between parasite prevalence and variables in microhabitat or dog. A spatially explicit patch transmission model was also used to predict the effects of dog mobility on domestic dog worm burdens, antihelmintic treatment efficacy and transmission potential to wild felid hosts.