Table 1 A list of wolf pathogens that were examined for populations sampled across North America (Fig. 1) and their characteristics37. ‘Alternative hosts’ refers to hosts other than wolves that occur within the study areas that we expect to be important in transmitting pathogens to wolves. ‘Population consequences’ describes the known or expected severity of these pathogen infections on wolf population size or growth rate (minimal, moderate, severe).
From: Patterns and processes of pathogen exposure in gray wolves across North America
Pathogen | Transmission route | Alternative Hosts | Symptoms / effects | Population consequences |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Canine adenovirus | Direct via respiratory secretions; fecal–oral | None | Fever, liver inflammation | Mild |
Canine distemper virus | Direct via respiratory droplets/secretions; airborne | Carnivores—grizzly (Ursus arctos) and black bears (Ursus americanus), cougars (Puma concolor), lynx (Lynx canadensis), coyotes (Canis latrans), raccoons (Procyon lotor), skunks (Mephitis mephitis), domestic dogs (Canis lupus familiaris) | Enamel hypoplasia, seizures, death—mostly affects pups or naive, immunocompromised adults | Severe (albeit acute) |
Canine herpesvirus | Vertical; sexual; direct via respiratory droplets/ secretions | None | Adult females: abortion; pups: lethargy, sudden death | Mild |
Canine parvovirus | Fecal–oral | Domestic dogs | Pups: diarrhea, lethargy, death | Moderate (but variable) |
Neospora caninum | Ingesting infected tissue (definitive) or oocysts (intermediate); vertical | Intermediate: Ungulates Definitive: canids—coyotes, foxes (Vulpes vulpes) | Muscle weakness, tremors, loss of coordination | Mild |
Toxoplasma gondii | Ingesting infected tissue or oocysts; vertical | Intermediate: Warm-blooded animals Definitive: felids—cougars, lynx, bobcat (Lynx rufus), domestic cats (Felis catus) | Increased aggression and risk-taking | Mild |
