In urban parks around Portland, Oregon, deer mice (Peromyscus maniculatus) exhibit notable prevalence of the zoonotic Sin Nombre virus (SNV), previously shown to decline with increased biodiversity. This study examined whether similar environmental patterns affect a second disease system—gastrointestinal meta-parasites—using 257 preserved specimens from the same populations. Results showed an inverse relationship between biodiversity and meta-parasite prevalence, while host and small mammal population densities were not significant predictors. Mass was also associated with infection risk. Findings suggest biodiversity is a consistent, though context-dependent, factor influencing wildlife disease dynamics across transmission strategies.
