Infectious and parasitic diseases of the gray wolf and their potential effects on wolf populations in North America
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Abstract
Numerous infections and parasitic diseases have been reported for the gray wolf, including more than 10 viral, bacterial, and mycotic disease and more than 70 species of helminths and ectoparasites. However, few studies have documented the role of diseases in population dynamics. Disease can affect wolf populations directly by causing mortality or indirectly by affecting physiological and homeostatic processes, thriftiness, reproduction, behavior, or social structure. In addition, wolves are hosts to diseases that can affect prey species, thus affecting wolf populations indirectly by reducing prey abundance or increasing vulnerability to predation. Diseases such as canine distemper and infectious canine hepatitis are enzootic in wolf populations, whereas rabies occurs in wolves primarily as a result of transmission from other species such as artic and red foxes. Contact between wolves and domestic pets and livestock may affect the composition of diseases in wolves and their effects on wolf populations. Dogs were suspected of introducing lice and canine parovirus to several wolf populations. THe potential for disease to affect wolf populations and other wild and domestic animals should be considered in wolf management plans, particularly in plans for reintroduction of wolves to area within their former range.
Study Area
| Publication type | Conference Paper |
|---|---|
| Publication Subtype | Conference Paper |
| Title | Infectious and parasitic diseases of the gray wolf and their potential effects on wolf populations in North America |
| Series number | 35 |
| Year Published | 1995 |
| Language | English |
| Publisher | University of Alberta Press |
| Publisher location | Alberta, Canada |
| Contributing office(s) | National Wildlife Health Center |
| Description | 12 p. |
| Larger Work Type | Book |
| Larger Work Subtype | Conference publication |
| Larger Work Title | Ecology and conservation of wolves in a changing world: Proceedings of the 2nd North American Symposium on Wolves |
| First page | 419 |
| Last page | 430 |
| Conference Title | 2nd North American Symposium on Wolves |
| Conference Location | Edmonton, Alberta, Canada |
| Conference Date | August 25-27, 1992 |
| Other Geospatial | North America |
| Online Only (Y/N) | N |
| Additional Online Files (Y/N) | N |
| Google Analytic Metrics | Metrics page |