Ectoparasite infestations in red squirrel populations

[C:WINSOCKKA9QSPOOLMAIL]

This is a message my colleague wanted posted but as yet doesn't have 
access to the mail groups, so I thought I would post it on his behalf:

I am a third year Ph.D. student currently examining the effect of 
supplemental feeding on red squirrels. 

During the study I have found dead and dying animals with very heavy 
infestations of sucking lice. Many of the squirrels were in poor 
condition and a few had large infected jaw abscesses. 

I have also caught a small number of healthy adults with lice infestations. 
I'd be interested in hearing if anyone has found ectoparasite 
infestations in populations of other tree squirrels.

craig at dratt.co.uk
-- 


joanne at dratt.demon.co.uk