PARASITIC FAUNA OF THE GOLDEN HAMSTER

¹ Department of Biology, Illinois Wesleyan University, Bloomington, Ill.

1. The origin of the golden hamster, Cricetus auratus (Waterhouse), as an experimental laboratory animal is reviewed.

2. The growing popularity of the hamster as an experimental animal in many areas of biologic and medical research has resulted in (1) increased breeding of this animal in both commercial hamsteries and experimental laboratories, and (2) a definite need for further information on this rodent with reference to its anatomy, physiology, patterns of behavior, parasitic fauna and flora, nutrition requirements, and measures of prevention and control of disease.

3. The following animal parasites reported from the hamster by various investigators are described, life cycles reviewed, physiologic activity and pathogenicity discussed, and methods of prevention and control indicated: Toxoplasma (sp?), Leishmanis donovani, Leptospira icterohaemorrhagiae, Leptospira canicula, Trichomonas muris, Trichomonas wenyoni, Trichomonas minuta, Trichomonas microti, a fifth type of trichomonad not previously described, Giardia (muris?), Chilomastix bettencourti, Endamoeba muris, Plasmodium berghei, Schistosoma mansoni, Hymenolepis nana, Hymenolepis diminuta, Cysticercus fasciolaris, Syphacia obvelata, Protospirura muris, Notoedres notoedres, and Musca domestica. Found in association with hamsters and highly suspected but still of questionable role as ectoparasites or vectors in relation to these animals are reported: Cimex lectularius, Periplaneta americana, and a species of Collembola.

4. The incidence of parasitism in a recent study of 412 hamsters examined from eight sources is presented in tabular form (Table II).