The Mule Deer (Odocoileus hemionus) population in southern Oregon has been experiencing significant declines, particularly in the Klamath Basin and surrounding herds, where low fawn survival is a major concern. Previous research has identified various factors contributing to this decline, including habitat loss, climate change, and predation. However, the role of parasitic infections, particularly roundworms, remains poorly understood. While several studies have indicated that parasitic infestations can impact deer health, the extent of their influence on population dynamics, especially recruitment, has not been thoroughly investigated. In this study, we will collect and analyze fecal samples from mule deer across multiple herd ranges in southern Oregon. Using fecal flotation and centrifugation methods, we will identify the prevalence and intensity of roundworm infections while using ArcGIS mapping to analyze the spatial prevalence of parasites within the study area, helping to identify areas with higher parasite loads. By combining our parasitic data with population and survival statistics provided by the Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife, we will explore potential connections between parasite load and fawn mortality. With Preliminary results indicating a high prevalence of parasitic roundworms, we hypothesize that increased parasite load negatively impacts mule deer recruitment by reducing fawn survival. These findings could have significant implications for long-term population stability, emphasizing a potential need for targeted conservation and management efforts to remediate the effects of parasitic infections on mule deer populations.
Subjects: Ecology, Conservation, Parasitology, Mule Deer
