Effects of Fire on the Ectoparasites of Small Mammals in Longleaf Pine (Pinus Palustris) Habitats

I tested the hypothesis that fire significantly decreases prevalence and abundance of ectoparasites and therefore increases the condition of small mammals in longleaf pine habitats. I trapped two areas with paired burned and unburned sites in east central Georgia during 2002 2003. I collected 190 mammals from 9 species and recovered 32 ectoparasite species. I found little overlap in mammal species between paired sites. The overall chance for any mammal of having an ectoparasite was significantly greater on unburned sites (87.7% prevalence on burned vs. 100% unburned). There was no significant relationship between the number of individual ectoparasites on a mammal and its condition. Although I provide some evidence that fire can affect ectoparasite abundance, the pattern varied by site and was not consistent for all species. Several new host ectoparasite associations were recorded.

Name thesis:degree_name

Master of Science in Biology (M.S.)

Level thesis:degree_level

Thesis (open access)

Discipline thesis:degree_discipline

Department of Biology

Year dc:date.available

2005

Author dc:creator

• Nims, Todd N.

Contributors dc:contributor

• Lance A. Durden
• Oscar J. Pung

• ETD
• Ectodyte
• Ectoparasites
• Epifaunistic arthropods
• Fire effects
• Georgia
• Host records
• Longleaf pine
• Oldfield mouse
• Prescribed burn
• Sandhill
• Small mammals
• State records
• Wiregrass

Repository record dc:identifier

https://digitalcommons.georgiasouthern.edu/etd/722

OAI identifier oai:identifier

oai:digitalcommons.georgiasouthern.edu:etd-1722