Fig. 3.

S. grueneri and S. taeniata developmental cycles with their intermediate and definitive host in areas without wolves (A) and with wolves (B). In wolf habitats, wolves increase S. grueneri prevalence in their prey, in turn leading to a higher infection rate in hunting dogs. S. grueneri and S. taeniata strains spread by wolves are well–adapted to both ungulate species, while S. grueneri and S. taeniata strains spread by hunting dogs from the control area are restricted to roe deer (right ungulate pictogram). The epidemiological influence of wolves regarding the spread of Sarcocystis in comparison to hunting dogs has a higher impact on red deer (left ungulate pictogram) than on roe deer. Sarcocystis strains in hunting dogs from the wolf area are likely to be a mixture of both dog and wolf strains. (For interpretation of the references to colour in this figure legend, the reader is referred to the web version of this article.)