Abundance of lungworm parasites in invasive cane toads from burned and unburned sites

The frequency and severity of wildfires are increasing due to
anthropogenic modifications to habitats and to climate. Post-fire
landscapes may advantage invasive species via multiple mechanisms,
including changes to host-parasite interactions. We surveyed the incidence
of endoparasitic lungworms (Rhabdias pseudosphaerocephala) in invasive
cane toads (Rhinella marina) in near-coastal sites of eastern Australia, a
year after extensive fires in this region. Both the prevalence of
infection, and number of worms in infected toads, increased with toad body
size in unburned areas. In contrast, parasite load decreased rather than
increased with toad body size in burned areas. By killing
moisture-dependent free-living lungworm larvae, the intense fires may have
liberated adult cane toads from a parasite that can substantially reduce
the viability of its host. Smaller toads, which are restricted to moist
environments, did not receive this benefit from fires.