Taxonomy and ecology of gastro-intestinal helminths in pikas of North America

Masters thesis. 5 helminth species in pikas from the Ogilvie Mountains and 7 inhabiting individuals from the Rocky Mountains of southwestern Alberta were examined. Distinguishing characteristics and host relationships of species in the 6 genera of helminths were critically reviewed. Results support the hypothesis that helminth species of pikas are derived from a single ancestral species, which migrated across Beringia during the Illinoian glaciation.