We have investigated the influence of heteroxenous coccidia (Apicomplexa:
Eimeriorina) on the predation risk of
intermediate hosts. Voles infected with Frenkelia spp. were found
more frequently in buzzards' (Buteo buteo) prey than
among snap-trapped rodents. To eliminate the possibility of traps selecting
for uninfected rodents, a laboratory experiment
was performed. Mice experimentally infected with Sarcocystis dispersa
seemed to be more likely caught by the final host,
the long-eared owl (Asio otus); this result was confirmed by a
mathematical model. Field data confirmed the adaptive value
of parasite-induced changes. The increase of predation is directed towards
the specific final host only or is non-specific.
In the populations studied the probability of predation of parasitized
individuals by the specific predator was increased.