However, the effect of parasites on energy expenditure of the hosts was complex; it varied with season, approaching significance in summer, at which time parasite load was lowest and was not significant during winter, at which time FMR reached its peak.
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The sentences
nanus was significantly and positively correlated with parasite load in spring when parasite load was highest; this relationship approached significance in summer when parasite load was lowest but was insignificant in winter.