The helminth parasites of some small mammal communities I. the parasites and their hosts.

Abstract

This series of papers aims at correlating facts concerning some small mammals and their parasites in order to propose general ideas as to how the lives of parasite and host are inter-related. Host and parasite have often been studied as separate entities although it is only by studying both animal populations simultaneously that knowledge of this intimate relationship can be of its greatest value. The life histories of both host and parasite are important factors in the nature of any population changes that occur in the community. Any changes taking place in one community, whether host or parasite, will be reflected in the other. The study of the relations of parasite and host is an ecological problem, although it has rarely been appreciated from this viewpoint. This work is based on the results of live trapping of small mammals, the examination of these for intestinal parasites and studies of the life-histories and biology of the parasites themselves.