Species of Eimeria from the thirteen-lined ground squirrel, Spermophilus tridecemlineatus, from Wyoming

Authors

Robert S. Seville, University of Wyoming, Laramie
Diane M. Thomas, University of Wyoming, Laramie
Russell Pickering, University of Wyoming, Laramie
Nancy L. Stanton, University of Wyoming, Laramie

Abstract

Five species of the coccidian genus Eimeria (E. beecheyi [prevalence = 17.9%], E. callospermophili-morainensis[28.6%], E. larimerensis [16.1%], and E. bilamellata [3.6%]) were recovered from 56, 13-lined ground squirrels (Spermophilus tridicemlineatus) collected from two sites in eastern Wyoming. Two squirrels from one site were also passing an unidentified polysporocystic coccidian. Infected squirrels were found to harbor from one to three species simultaneously. Previously these same eimerian species were found infecting sympatric populations of Wyoming ground squirrels. (Spermophilus elegans) and white-tailed prairie dogs (Cynomys leucurus) at one of the sites; it is suggested that the exchange of these generalist parasite species among co-occurring sciurid hosts contributes to the consistent prevalence levels reported in Wyoming ground squirrels.

Recommended Citation

Seville, Robert S.; Thomas, Diane M.; Pickering, Russell; and Stanton, Nancy L. (1992) "Species of Eimeria from the thirteen-lined ground squirrel, Spermophilus tridecemlineatus, from Wyoming," Great Basin Naturalist: Vol. 52: No. 4, Article 3.
Available at: https://scholarsarchive.byu.edu/gbn/vol52/iss4/3