Parasite Niche Clade Prevalence Life Cycle Summary
Trichuris muris Gastrointestinal Helminth Nematoda 46.17% Eggs embryonate in environment and hatch upon ingestion. First stage larvae establish in mucosa of colon and caecum, and moult until reaching maturity. Adult worms remain embedded in epithelium and release eggs with the host faeces. (Flynn, 2007; Panesar & Croll, 1980; Wakelin, 1969)
Gastrointestinal Helminth Nematoda 30.33% Direct – eggs embryonate on perianal region of host, and are ingested by another host from the perineum, or from contaminated food or water. Eggs hatch in the host, and adults reside in the lumen of the caecum and colon and release eggs with host faeces. (Flynn, 2007)
Hepatic Helminth Nematoda 58.23% Eggs embryonate in environment and hatch in the intestine following ingestion. Infective larvae penetrate the mucosa and enter the liver via the hepatic portal system. Larvae develop into adults and reproduce, leaving gravid females in the liver. Eggs are released upon the host’s death via necrophagy or decomposition of the host body. (Flynn, 2007; C. W. Lee, 2009)
Bartonella sp. Bloodborne Microparasite Bacteria 47.12% Transmission occurs during feeding on the host by an arthropod vector (typically fleas and ticks), potentially from the vector’s faeces. The bacteria enter the bloodstream, where they invade erythrocytes and reproduce intracellularly. Further transmission occurs during later bloodfeeding by the arthropod ectoparasites. (Harms & Dehio, 2012)
Sarcocystis dispersa Bloodborne Microparasite Ampicomplexa 6.90% M.musculus is the intermediate host, and becomes infected upon ingesting sporozoites, which disperse through the blood. Bradyzoite cysts develop in skeletal tissue, and complete their life cycle following predation of the host by owls. (Flynn, 2007; Kolářová, 1986; Skárková, 1986)
Nosopsyllus fasciatus Arthropod ectoparasite Fleas (Siphonaptera) 34.15% Eggs are laid on the fur of the host, and fall into the environment where they hatch. Larvae moult and pupate, and jump onto the fur of the host when movement is detected, where reproduction occurs. (Flynn, 2007)
Radfordia sp., Myobia sp., Trombicula sp.
Arthropod ectoparasite
Mites (Acari)
84.42%
Parasite eggs hatch on the host, where they develop through larval and nymph stages to become adults. Reproduction occurs in the fur of the mice, and transmission occurs through direct contact between hosts. (Flynn, 2007; Friedman & Weisbroth, 1977)