Poster 60: Vermont lies within the zone of overlapping geographic ranges of the two species of North American flying squirrels, the northern flying squirrel (Glaucomys sabrinus)and the southern flying squirrel (Glaucomys volans). A species of parasitic hookworm known as Strongyloides robustus has been documented in both species in Wisconsin, New York, Pennsylvania, and other regions of co-inhabitance. Past studies have found that the parasite negatively affects the health of the northern flying squirrel more than the southern flying squirrel. As such, the parasite may play a significant role in the species’ competition for habitat and resources. Fecal analysis for S. robustus,collected from 18 southern flying squirrels trapped in Cornwall, VT, revealed 100% prevalence among individuals. This is the first documentation of S. robustus in Vermont, and the relatively high prevalence may be due to G. volans isolation resulting from a high degree of forest fragmentation within the Champlain Valley.
