Internal parasites of sympatric Bison, Bison bison, and Cattle, Bos taurus

Abstract

Bison (Bison bison) ana Cattle (Bos taurus), though closely related, are ecologically different, so we hypothesized that they would differ in prevalence of disease-causing organisms. We compared internal parasites of sympatric Bison and Cattle in the Henry Mountains, Utah, by screening feces for parasites. We identified five taxa of parasites (Eimeria bovis, E. zuernii, Fasciola hepatica, order Strongylida, Trichuris spp.). Prevalences differed between Bison and Cattle, especially those parasites associated with water. Likely causes are differences in host suitability and ecological differences between Bison and Cattle that affected the probability of transmission.