sara leonard and jessica meppelink grand valley state university

Distribution and Prevalence of Raccoon Roundworm (Baylisascaris procyonis) in Allegan and Barry Counties

Sara Leonard and Jessica MeppelinkGrand Valley State University

Got Worms?

2

Determine the prevalence and distribution of raccoon roundworm

Study Objectives•Determine the population

densities of intermediate hosts near latrines

www.michigan.govextension.entm.purdue.edu 

3

Methods

1 23

4

5

• 2 Counties - 5 Sample locations each

12

3

45

Barry CountyAllegan County

4

Fecal Floats◦ Centrifuge technique◦ Microscope Identification

Methods

5

Under the Microscope

6

Methods• Necropsies - Fresh road kill

• Prevalence measured as the proportion of:

1) Infected fecal samples 2) Infected individuals

7

Methods• Track plates - 10 positive latrines - 10 negative latrines

www.kaputproducts.com 

naturallycuriouswithmaryholland.wordpress.com

fineartamerica.com • Wildlife cameras

8

Data Collected: Fecal freeloaders

RRW

Monocystis

unidentified roundworm

pollen

spores

soil nematodes

pseduparasites

0 10 20 30 40 50 60

Material found in fecal Samples in Barry County

Number of Samples

RRW

Monocystis

other parasites

pollen

spores

Soil nematodes

0 5 10 15 20 25 30 35 40 45 50

Material found in fecal Samples at PCCI

Number of Samples

RRWMonocystisother parasitespollensporessoil nematodes

024681012

Material found in fecal Samples at CP

Number of Samples

Sample Allegan County

Future Endeavers

Place Track Plates - Set up wildlife cameras

www.arthursclipart.org

www.bear-tracker.com

www.wayfair.com

www.bear-tracker.com

10

Questions?

vunzooke.com