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8Viral diseases can influence the population dynamics of wild carnivores and can have 9 effects on carnivore conservation. Hence, a serologic survey was conducted in an 10 opportunistic sample of 137 foxes (Vulpes vulpes) and 37 wolves (Canis lupus) in Spain 11 for 1997-2007 to detect antibodies against canine distemper virus (CDV) and against 12 canine parvovirus (CPV) by indirect ELISA. Antibodies against CDV were detected in 13 18.7% of the analyzed animals and antibodies against CPV in 17.2%. There was no 14 difference in antibody prevalence to CDV between both species, even in the same 15 region (P>0.05), but there was a significant difference in antibody prevalence to CPV 16 between foxes (5.1%) and wolves (62.2%) (P<0.05). In fox populations there was a 17 significant difference in antibody prevalence to CDV between geographic areas (Aragón 18 26.4%, La Mancha 7.8%, P<0.05). In wolf populations there was a significantly higher 19 antibody prevalence against CPV (P<0.05) in Castilla y León (100%) than in the 20 Cantabric region (53.3%). There was no significant sex or age related difference in the 21 antibody prevalence against CDV or CPV in foxes. These results indicate that contact 22 with CDV is widespread among wild canid populations in Spain and that CPV is 23 endemic in the Iberian wolf population. The implications of these results are briefly 24 discussed. 25

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We conducted spotlight counts from 1992 to 2006 in 59 localities to describe carnivore presence, distribution and relative abundance in open agriculture lands in Aragon, northeastern Spain. During the study period, urban waste and carcases of domestic livestock became less available to wild animals, and rabbit (Oryctolagus cuniculus) abundance was low after rabbit haemorragic disease. We calculated a kilometric abundance index (KAI, individuals seen per 100 km surveyed) and the ratio between the number of positive localities in which a species was detected and the total of localities surveyed in a year. Indices to abundance and presence included: red fox (Vulpes vulpes), KAI per 100 km 10.70 and 100.0% localities per year; stray dog (Canis familiaris), KAI 0.48 and 22.6% localities; wildcat (Felis silvestris), KAI 0.10 and 19.1% localities; domestic cat (Felis catus), KAI 0.21 and 20.6% localities; polecat (Mustela putorius), KAI 0.02 and 2.0% localities; badger (Meles meles), KAI 0.16 and 23.6% localities; stone marten (Martes foina), KAI 0.11 and 19.6% localities; weasel (Mustela nivalis), KAI 0.002 and 0.6% localities; and genet (Genetta genetta), KAI 0.06 and 10.0% localities. Indices of badger abundance increased significantly, whereas indices of stray dogs decreased significantly over the study period. Abundance indices of red fox, the most important predator of small game, were stable throughout the study period. No significant trend was observed to other studied species. This study concludes that Aragon region maintains a diverse and rather stable carnivore community and shows that large scale data may help to identify trends of the more abundant wild and feral carnivores.

The interactions between host individual, host population, and environmental factors modulate parasite abundance in a given host population. Since adult exophilic ticks are highly aggregated in red deer (Cervus elaphus) and this ungulate exhibits significant sexual size dimorphism, life history traits and segregation, we hypothesized that tick parasitism on males and hinds would be differentially influenced by each of these factors. To test the hypothesis, ticks from 306 red deer—182 males and 124 females—were collected during 7 years in a red deer population in south-central Spain. By using generalized linear models, with a negative binomial error distribution and a logarithmic link function, we modeled tick abundance on deer with 20 potential predictors. Three models were developed: one for red deer males, another for hinds, and one combining data for males and females and including “sex” as factor. Our rationale was that if tick burdens on males and hinds relate to the explanatory factors in a differential way, it is not possible to precisely and accurately predict the tick burden on one sex using the model fitted on the other sex, or with the model that combines data from both sexes. Our results showed that deer males were the primary target for ticks, the weight of each factor differed between sexes, and each sex specific model was not able to accurately predict burdens on the animals of the other sex. That is, results support for sex-biased differences. The higher weight of host individual and population factors in the model for males show that intrinsic deer factors more strongly explain tick burden than environmental host-seeking tick abundance. In contrast, environmental variables predominated in the models explaining tick burdens in hinds.

in red foxes, 12.6 ± 2.8% (69 out of 545) in wild boars, and 3.3 ± 2.7% (6 out of 177) in 22

The intestinal contents of 27 Iberian wolves (Canis lupus signatus) from Spain were screened for the presence of the taenid cestode Echinococcus granulosus. Four animals were found positive (15% prevalence). The intensity of parasitation was variable (mean 71, range 1-147 E. granulosus per host). Gravid individuals were found in all wolves positive with the parasite. Molecular characterization of the parasite material showed that the wolf strain belongs to the G1 genotype. According to the results, we conclude that the Iberian wolf takes part in the maintenance of the life cycle of this zoonotic parasite in Spain and that this fact could have public health relevance.