Evidence for parasite-induced vulnerability to predation by wolves?

[bearpaw]

The distribution of Echinococcus granulosus in moose: evidence for parasite-induced vulnerability to predation by wolves?

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/15232731

Abstract
The role of parasites in influencing the trophic dynamics of hosts is becoming increasingly recognized in the ecological literature. Echinococcus granulosus is a tapeworm that relies on the predator-prey relationship between the definitive host (wolf, Canis lupus) and the intermediate host, (moose, Alces alces) to complete its life cycle. Heavy infection by E. granulosus may predispose moose to increased risk of predation by wolves. Theory predicts that parasite-induced vulnerability to predation will reduce the degree of aggregation of parasites in a host population. We tested for different levels of aggregation of E. granulosus in moose in areas of low, moderate, and high levels of wolf predation using Green's coefficient of dispersion. Parasite aggregation was lower in an area with high predation rate, thus we hypothesize that heavy infection by E. granulosus predisposes moose to predation by wolves. This increase in predation rate due to parasite infection may influence the role of wolves in regulating moose populations. We discuss alternative explanations for the negative correlation between predation rate and parasite aggregation.

[Special T]

Lets see if i get this right. A moose is MORE likely to have Echinococcus granulosus, if it is in an area of high predation by wolves...

This report makes it sound like the wolves are doing us a "favor"  by eating these diseased moose.

High Predation= lots of wolves=lots of wolf crap=more infection... This sound to me like a bunch of pointed headed intelectualls that did a study that common sense would give you the answer...

Am I wrong here?  I feel dumber for reading this stuff. 

[Sporting_Man]

Yeah, they are making it look like Moose and ungulates are active carriers of this desease... What a twist!
Thruth is there wouldn't be tapeworm spreads without wolves - to begin with. Ungulates only carry this thing inside and only can give it away when their internals (lungs and liver are eaten)...

[humanure]

Its been an issue with parasites since before wolves came back. I've had carabou in Alaska that taste alot more healthy than the elk and mules here in Washington. And thats because we have ungulates with weak immunities to disease and parasites. Sorry, but thats a fact.

[humanure]

You can tell by the many subtleties of taste is the meat you are eating is healthy. The ungulates here is hit and miss on the scale of health that it should be at, because of the weak genes that have been passed down.

[JimmyHoffa]

You can tell by the many subtleties of taste is the meat you are eating is healthy. The ungulates here is hit and miss on the scale of health that it should be at, because of the weak genes that have been passed down.

I'm not buying that the animals here have weak genes and are unhealthy to eat. The ungulates still have something like barely 20% fawn/calf survival.  Just because 'woofs' aren't chasing them doesn't mean they aren't preyed upon.  Cougars, bears, coyotes and bobcats are doing plenty to kill off the herds.

[humanure]

Really? Have you not seen the studies on the elk in our region? But hey, you don't have to believe it if you don't want to.

[Turner89]

Its been an issue with parasites since before wolves came back. I've had carabou in Alaska that taste alot more healthy than the elk and mules here in Washington. And thats because we have ungulates with weak immunities to disease and parasites. Sorry, but thats a fact.

WOW

You can tell by the many subtleties of taste is the meat you are eating is healthy. The ungulates here is hit and miss on the scale of health that it should be at, because of the weak genes that have been passed down.

You Serious

[hughjorgan]

You can tell by the many subtleties of taste is the meat you are eating is healthy. The ungulates here is hit and miss on the scale of health that it should be at, because of the weak genes that have been passed down.

What a bunch of BS. I suppose you have scientific data or study for your ridiculous theory?

[JimmyHoffa]

The studies I've seen only list one elk abnormality and it predominately occurs in region 5 (cowlitz basin).  This would be hoof rot; and the WDFW studies determined that it is from deficient copper and selenium in the diets and noted that the area is deprived of those minerals.  Everything else I've seen shows the herds to be healthy, with occasional illnesses afflicting a few animals.  For deer, there is hair loss syndrome that affects them mostly in the first year or two of life--most being killed by cougars and bobcats if they make it to the second year, and bears and coyotes if they get it in the first.
So, what is it that is making the herds so unhealthy that only 'woofs' can fix?

Because they ONLY kill the sick and weak....

[bearpaw]

    fishon..... 

wondered how long it would take to catch a wolf lover... 


I think this clearly displays how biologists "with an agenda to prove" can produce studies to further an agenda. Wolf advocates can then cite the "claimed data" and make a ridiculous claim that wolves are needed which is supported by "questionable science".

 

[Turner89]

If the venison i've been eating tastes unhealthy I can't wait to taste a healthy deer.
That seemed wierd comming out of my mouth.  Come on Human---really? 

[bearpaw]

Man, coyote, and cougar have been more than efficient at culling the weak, old, and otther individual animals with less than stellar survival instincts. 

[humanure]

No, really, they haven't. The parasite loads found in the ungulates is astonishing.

[JimmyHoffa]

Exposure of the population to the attacking element is what adapts the herd over time to build resistance.  Exposing them to harsh winters selects out the best suited for harsh winter, exposure to disease---most resistant to that disease, exposure to cougars eventually leads to animals better suited to escape cougars.
Introducing woofs into the mix over time will sort out the animals in regards to woofs and woof borne disease, not the other elements out there.  If anything, it should weaken the herd with respect to other elements because they are now being selected primarily for 'woof' evasion.