Data from: Why is our roe deer short of breath? – Prevalence and promotive factors of lung parasites in roe deer (Capreolus capreolus) in southeast Germany
Data files
Apr 23, 2024 version files 79.54 KB
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Data_file.xlsx
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README.md
Apr 23, 2024 version files 79.54 KB
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Data_file.xlsx
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README.md
Abstract
The existence of bronchopulmonary nematodes in German roe deer (Capreolus capreolus) is well documented, with two types of lung parasites that have been described previously (Dictyocaulus capreolus and Varestrongylus capreoli). However, little is known about the impact of these parasites on their host animal or which parameters influence outbreak and intensity of infection. The aim of this study was to obtain new information on the relevance of factors such as season, environmental conditions or age, sex, and body mass of the infected roe deer. To obtain our results, the respiratory tracts of 762 roe deer from south-eastern Germany were examined.
In the sample, 42.5 % of roe deer were infested with V. capreoli and 14.0 % with D. capreolus, 51.3 % of animals were completely free of lung parasites. Testing for influencing variables, our regression models found both sex and age of the roe deer to statistically influence infestation, with male sex and younger age correlating with both stronger infestation and higher infestation rates. Accordingly, in male animals, the infestation rates with V. capreoli and D. capreolus (45.1 % and 20.1 %) were higher than in females (39.4 % and 8.0 %).
The overall infestation rate of juvenile animals was remarkably higher (73 %) than those of sub-adults (38.3 %) or adults (28.4 %).
Across all age groups, infested animals showed lower body weights compared to non-infested animals. According to our multiple linear regression model Roe deer infected with D. capreolus on average weighed 0.65 kg less than their healthy counterparts, in case of V. capreoli 0.72 kg less on average. While the burden on the well-being of infested animals can only be assumed, these concrete figures (reduced body weight in infested compared to healthy animals) demonstrate the economic damage lung parasites cause to meat harvesting from bagged roe deer.
README: "Why is our roe deer short of breath? – Prevalence and promotive factors of lung parasites in roe deer (Capreolus capreolus) in southeast Germany."
Access this dataset on Dryad: doi:10.5061/dryad.xsj3tx9pj
This dataset contains the data collected for our study on lungworm infection in roe deer (Capreolus capreolus) in southeast Germany.
Description of the data and file structure:
Columns A - H of the dataset contain information on the roe deer tested for lung parasites Varestrongylus capreoli and Dictyocaulus capreolus.
The remaining columns (I - Q) provide information on the infection with lungworms.
The following abbreviations were used:
na = not available
(Since our data was collected in a field study, under field conditions, we could not provide a value in some cases and therefore marked the cells with "na". For example, in a few cases the sex, age or weight of the roe deer could not be detected and when lungs were damaged the number of breeding knots of the small lungworm or the amount of adult D. capreolus could not be given.)
A (Habitat): Where the roe deer lived:
Spessart = 1; Haßberge = 2; Oberpfalz = 3; Niederbayern = 4; München = 5; Allgäu = 6; Bad Tölz = 7; Ruhpolding = 8; Berchtesgaden = 9
B (Date): Year, Month and Day the animal was hunted
C (Animal-ID): Continuous ID-number of the roe deer
D (Month): month in which animal was shot
1 = january, 2 = february and so on
E (Season): season in which animal was shot
1 = Spring (Months 3,4,5), 2 = Summer (Months 6,7,8), 3 = Autumn (Months 9,10,11), 4 = Winter (Months 12,1,2)
F (Sex): sex of the bagged roe deer
1 = male, 2 = female
G (Age Class): age class of the bagged roe deer
1 = juvenile (younger than 1 year)
2 = subadult (1- <2 years old)
3 = adult (2 years or older)
H (Weight eviscerated): weight (eviscerated) of the roe deer, in kg
I (Visible worm knots): the small lungworm (Varestrongylus capreolus) damages the lungs of roe deer by building breeding knots on the lung surface.
Numerical number of detected worm knots.
J, K, L (The amount of big (>2cm diameter) medium (1-2 cm diameter) and small (<1cm) worm knots on the lung surface)
M (Varestrongylus_capreolus): Whether the small lungworm could be microscopically detected or not\
1 = yes, could be detected; 2 = no, could not be detected
N (Number_Larvae_50muL): numerical number, amount of Varestrongylus capreoli larvae detected in 50 mycroliter of fixating solution.
O (Number_Larvae_1g lung): numerical number, calculated, amount of Varestrongylus capreoli larvae detected in 1 gramm of investigated lung tissue.
P (Dictyocaulus_capreolus): Whether the big lungworm could be detected or not
1 = yes, could be detected; 2 = no, could not be detected; empty = lung could not be investigated
Q (Number of_D. capreolus): numerical number, amount of Dictyocaulus capreolus larvae detected in the lung tissue.
For further information regarding the detection of the two lungworms please refer to our Paper's method section.