Gastrointestinal helminth abundance in the Eurasian beaver (Castor fiber) is affected by sex, pregnancy and habitat type
Abstract
Internal parasites exploit host resources and may reduce host fitness and population viability. Parasite prevalence and abundance may be associated with intrinsic factors including sex, age and body condition, and extrinsic factors including habitat type and population density. Our study quantified gastrointestinal helminths abundance in 49 Eurasian beavers ( Castor fiber ) shot during spring hunting season in Norway and examined associations with host sex, age, body condition, habitat type, and population density. Two host-specific gastrointestinal helminths were identified: the intestinal trematode or fluke ( Neostichorchis subtriquetrus ) (prevalence 81.8%; N = 42) and the stomach nematode ( Travassosius rufus ) (prevalence 100%). Males exhibited higher parasite abundance compared to females, for both parasite species. Pregnant beavers harboured higher fluke abundance than non-pregnant females. Beavers inhabiting stream type habitats had significantly lower fluke abundance than those in rivers and small lakes, whereas Travassosius rufus abundance was significantly lower in river habitats compared to streams and lakes. No significant associations were detected with age, body condition or population density. Host sex, reproductive status and habitat type were associated with gastrointestinal helminths abundance. Further studies across broader geographic regions and demographic groups are needed to clarify the ecological consequences of parasitism in beavers.
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BibTeX
@article{roisin2026gastrointestinal,
title = {{Gastrointestinal helminth abundance in the Eurasian beaver (Castor fiber) is affected by sex, pregnancy and habitat type}},
author = {Campbell-Palmer Róisín and Frank Rosell and Romain Pizzi and Andreas Zedrosser and Howard Parker and Simon Girling and Hanna Kavli Lodberg-Holm},
journal = {Scientific Reports},
year = {2026},
month = oct,
doi = {10.1038/s41598-026-72896-y},
url = {https://www.nature.com/articles/s41598-026-72896-y},
note = {CC BY 4.0},
}
RIS
TY - JOUR
TI - Gastrointestinal helminth abundance in the Eurasian beaver (Castor fiber) is affected by sex, pregnancy and habitat type
AU - Campbell-Palmer Róisín
AU - Frank Rosell
AU - Romain Pizzi
AU - Andreas Zedrosser
AU - Howard Parker
AU - Simon Girling
AU - Hanna Kavli Lodberg-Holm
PY - 2026
DA - 2026/10/05
JO - Scientific Reports
DO - 10.1038/s41598-026-72896-y
UR - https://www.nature.com/articles/s41598-026-72896-y
AB - Internal parasites exploit host resources and may reduce host fitness and population viability. Parasite prevalence and abundance may be associated with intrinsic factors including sex, age and body condition, and extrinsic factors including habitat type and population density. Our study quantified gastrointestinal helminths abundance in 49 Eurasian beavers ( Castor fiber ) shot during spring hunting season in Norway and examined associations with host sex, age, body condition, habitat type, and population density. Two host-specific gastrointestinal helminths were identified: the intestinal trematode or fluke ( Neostichorchis subtriquetrus ) (prevalence 81.8%; N = 42) and the stomach nematode ( Travassosius rufus ) (prevalence 100%). Males exhibited higher parasite abundance compared to females, for both parasite species. Pregnant beavers harboured higher fluke abundance than non-pregnant females. Beavers inhabiting stream type habitats had significantly lower fluke abundance than those in rivers and small lakes, whereas Travassosius rufus abundance was significantly lower in river habitats compared to streams and lakes. No significant associations were detected with age, body condition or population density. Host sex, reproductive status and habitat type were associated with gastrointestinal helminths abundance. Further studies across broader geographic regions and demographic groups are needed to clarify the ecological consequences of parasitism in beavers.
SN - 2045-2322
ER -