The ecology of the parasite population in micro-mammals in the Italian peninsula and islands

The importance of micro mammals from many points of view, mainly with an ecological approach was stressed. The study of the spatial-temporal distribution of parasites in their hosts may be carried out in several ways. Tests done in collaboration with the Parasitology Laboratory in the Faculty of Chemistry at the University of Barcelona, the NRCS and the Department of Ecological Studies in Cosenza, have contributed to an understanding of the Helminth communities as relating to several intrinsic variables of microteriofauna as well as extrinsic ones, particularly those concerning environment, climate and season. These comparisons were made using statistical means which compared the categorical and dichotomic variables which would highlight risk differences and their effects on the system. Quantitative dependent variables were also considered in relation to the aforementioned qualitative variables. One of the models studied is that of logistic regression, which estimates the function of regression, connecting the probability of the presence of Helminth as a dependent variable, with biological and ecological parameters (independent variables) such as: gender, age, season of capture, bioclimate, biotope and trapping section.