Fig. 1

The proportions of parasitic nematode species from commercial and conservation bison herds are shown. a Fecal samples were collected from 58 bison production groups from 38 commercial herds from across western Canada: BC (n = 5); AB (n = 24); SK (n = 15); MB (n = 14). Each stacked bar-chart represents the species composition of a production group as determined by nemabiome sequencing. 10–20 fecal pats were sampled and pooled together from each production group within a herd. Two fecal egg counts (FEC) were performed on each pool, counting strongyle, Nematodirus and Trichuris eggs. The mean of these egg counts is displayed above each bar chart. Triangles represent cow-calf production groups; circles represent feeder production groups. Lines indicate that the groups belong to the same herd, and are likely to have similar management protocols and have close geographical proximity to one another. b Fecal samples were collected from individual bison from three conservation bison herds found within Canadian national parks, each stacked bar-chart represent the species composition of an individual animal sampled: GNP, plains bison herd (n = 19); EINP, plains bison herd (n = 23); EINP, wood bison herd (n = 16). Two fecal egg counts (FECs) were performed on each pool, counting strongyle, Nematodirus and Trichuris eggs. The mean of these egg counts is displayed above each bar chart. Animal age is indicated by a triangle (calves), circle (yearlings), ‘X’ (sub-adults) or square (adults)