The helminth parasites of Melomys cervinipes (Rodentia : Muridae : Hydromyinae)

Abstract

Melomys cervinipes Gould is one of four melomys species native to Australia. There have been no systematic surveys of parasite distribution and prevalence, or parasite community structure, for any species of Melomys. We present a comprehensive summary of the parasites of M. cervinipes by location in Queensland and northern New South Wales from published records, examination of museum specimens and data from an intensive sampling of hosts from four localities within central Queensland. An updated list prepared on the basis of these data and other published records is included.New host records include one cestode (Raillietina celebensis), one trematode (Platynosomum australiense) and 21 nematodes. Trichostrongyloid nematodes (Odilia spp.) were the dominant helminth group, with Odilia melomyos (Mawson, 1960) and O. mackerrasae (Mawson, 1960) being the core components of the helminth community. The structure of this community, with endemic and cosmopolitan elements, appears to have developed through both coevolution of hosts and parasites and host-switching events.Multidimensional scaling analysis of parasites from four central Queensland localities suggests considerable differences in community composition on a relatively small spatial scale. An island locality had a significantly different community structure and greater species diversity than nearby mainland sites. These results emphasise the importance of comparative studies of parasites among localities, and especially between island and mainland communities.

Species of Angiostrongylus (Nematoda: Metastrongyloidea) in wildlife: A review

“…Angiostrongylus cantonensis is a parasite of the pulmonary arteries and right ventricle of numerous wild Rattus spp., Bandicota indica, Melomys burtoni , M. cervinipes and Suncus murinus in the Asian, Pacific and Australian regions ( Mackerras and Sandars, 1955; Cross, 1979a; Smales et al., 2004 ). Discovered originally in the pulmonary arteries and right ventricle of Rattus rattus and R. norvegicus in Guangzhou, China ( Chen, 1935 ), it spread subsequently to South Asia, the Pacific islands and Australia where it is endemic ( Alicata, 1988 ).…”

Melomys cervinipes (Rodentia: Muridae)

“…Orders. These include (complied from Johnston and Mawson 1941;Mackerras 1958;Sprent and Mines 1960;Mawson 1961;Sprent 1963;Sprent and McKeown 1967;Bhaibulaya 1968Bhaibulaya , 1979Freeland 1983;Beveridge 1985;Hugot and Quentin 1985;Spratt andSingleton 1986, 2001;Singleton et al 1991;Gibbons and Spratt 1995;Smales 1997Smales , 2009Smales et al 2004 and Trichurus muris) and unidentified microfilaria (Mackerras 1962). Freeland (1983) suggested that Ophidascaris robertsi does not readily infect M. cervinipes in the natural environment, although M. cervinipes does demonstrate susceptibility in a laboratory environment.…”

Beak and feather disease virus carriage by Knemidocoptes pilae in a sulphur‐crested cockatoo (Cacatua galerita)

“…23 Apart from birds, R. celebensis has been reported from Rattus colletti 24 and Melomys cervinipes. 25 Ants have been demonstrated as intermediate hosts for Raillietina spp. in the emu.…”