Predicting Baylisascaris procyonis roundworm prevalence, presence and abundance in raccoons (Procyon lotor) of southwestern Ohio using landscape features

• We discovered that roundworm prevalence varies between adjacent sample sites.
• Landscape features serve as good predictors of parasite presence, prevalence and abundance.
• The proportion of landscape modified by agriculture predicts Baylisascaris procyonis prevalence better than any feature.

Raccoon roundworm is a leading cause of a neurological disease known as larva migrans encephalopathy in vertebrates. We determined that roundworm prevalence is significantly lower in Beavercreek Township than other townships surveyed, and that mean patch size and proportion of landscape modified by urbanization or by agriculture are good predictors of roundworm prevalence and abundance in raccoons. The proportion of landscape modified by urbanization was the best predictor of roundworm presence. These data will facilitate predictions regarding roundworm prevalence in areas that have not been previously sampled, and contribute to devising management strategies against the spread of raccoon roundworm.

Raccoon roundworm (Baylisascaris procyonis) prevalence varies between adjacent townships in Clark and Greene Counties, Ohio along with landscape features.Figure optionsDownload as PowerPoint slide