Some Pathological Effects of Endoparasites on Rodents with Special Reference to the Population Ecology of Microtines

This article reviews some of the ways in which endoparasites may affect small rodent hosts. Certain of the blood parasites can be detrimental to the host causing anemia and hypoglycemia. Both Trypanosoma lewisi in the rat and T. musculi in the mouse interfere with reproduction in infected females. Tables of the intestinal protozoa, cestodes and nematodes of Microtus agrestis (L.) are compiled with references to pathological effects. In the context of a model on the population dynamics of M. agrestis, Trypanosoma microti is presented as having an effect on female reproduction.