The Invasive Bank Vole (Myodes glareolus): A Model System for Studying Parasites and Ecoimmunology during a Biological Invasion

McManus, Andrew; Holland, Celia V.; Henttonen, Heikki; Stuart, Peter

SIMPLE SUMMARY: The recent emergence of SARS-CoV-2 has highlighted the recent increase in Emerging Infectious Diseases since the 1940s. This has made evident the need for wildlife studies investigating pathogen dynamics in wildlife species. Rodents have proved excellent models, in both laboratory and natural settings for studying disease dynamics. Due to the single introduction point, continuous spread and presence of baseline data, we propose that the recent invasion of Myodes glareolus in Ireland can be used as a model system to understand the changes in helminth species during a biological invasion. Through long-term studies using this invasive species as a model, we will be able to fill large knowledge gaps surrounding the area of pathogen dynamics in wild populations. ABSTRACT: The primary driver of the observed increase in emerging infectious diseases (EIDs) has been identified as human interaction with wildlife and this increase has emphasized knowledge gaps in wildlife pathogens dynamics. Wild rodent models have proven excellent for studying changes in parasite communities and have been a particular focus of eco-immunological research. Helminth species have been shown to be one of the factors regulating rodent abundance and indirectly affect disease burden through trade-offs between immune pathways. The Myodes glareolus invasion in Ireland is a unique model system to explore the invasion dynamics of helminth species. Studies of the invasive population of M. glareolus in Ireland have revealed a verifiable introduction point and its steady spread. Helminths studies of this invasion have identified enemy release, spillover, spillback and dilution taking place. Longitudinal studies have the potential to demonstrate the interplay between helminth parasite dynamics and both immune adaptation and coinfecting microparasites as M. glareolus become established across Ireland. Using the M. glareolus invasion as a model system and other similar wildlife systems, we can begin to fill the large gap in our knowledge surrounding the area of wildlife pathogen dynamics.