Different helminth parasites show contrasting relationships with age in a wild ungulate

Abstract

AbstractAs animals age they often exhibit substantial physiological and behavioural changes that can drive changes in infection status over the lifespan. Generally, immunosenescence is expected to lead to greater infection in older individuals, but this process could be confounded or counteracted by changes in behaviour, selective disappearance of certain individuals, or a range of immune processes. Here, we uncover contrasting age-related patterns of infection across three different helminth parasites in wild adult red deer (Cervus elaphus). Counts of strongyle nematodes (order: Strongylida) increased with age, while counts of liver fluke (Fasciola hepatica) and tissue worm (Elaphostrongylus cervi) decreased. These relationships could not be explained by selective disappearance of certain individuals or changes in behaviour, suggesting that immune changes could be responsible. Additionally, we found a positive relationship between social connectedness and strongyle infection, implying that previously documented age-related decreases in social behaviour may minimise exposure, reducing the negative effects of immunosenescence. These findings demonstrate that burdens of different parasites can show contrasting changes over an individual’s lifespan depending on a complex suite of intrinsic and extrinsic factors.