Helminth community structure and pattern in Merriam's kangaroo rats, Dipodomys merriami Mearns, from the Chihuahuan Desert of New Mexico, USA

Helminth community structure and pattern were examined in the Merriam's kan garoo rat Dipodomys merriami from burned and unburned plots in the northern Chihuahuan Desert of New Mexico. From 53 adult kangaroo rats, 7 helminth s pecies were found, of which 2 species commonly occurred (Mastophorus dipodo mis, 72%; Pterygodermatites dipodomis, 68%). The remaining species occurred infrequently (less than or equal to 13% prevalence). Prevalence and rank a bundance values of M. dipodomis and P. dipodomis were similar between burne d and unburned plots and host sex, respectively. Kangaroo rats avenged 1.8 +/- 0.1 species and 10.5 +/- 3.9 individuals. Both Jaccard's index and the percentage similarity index indicated that component communities were dissi milar between burned and unburned plots. However, these differences resulte d from the occurrence of rare species. Our results suggest that the helmint h component community is depauperate and is dominated by 2 heteroxenic spec ies that occupy different microhabitats within the host.