Non-invasive sampling in Itatiaia National Park, Brazil: wild mammal parasite detection

Abstract

Background: Non-invasive sampling through faecal collection is one of the most cost-effective alternatives for monitoring of free-living wild mammals, as it provides information on animal taxonomy as well as the dynamics of the gastrointestinal parasites that potentially infect these animals. In this context, this study aimed to perform an epidemiological survey of gastrointestinal parasites using non-invasive faecal samples from carnivores and artiodactyls identified by stool macroscopy, guard hair morphology and DNA sequencing in Itatiaia National Park. Between 2017 and 2018, faeces from carnivores and artiodactyls were collected along trails in the park. The host species were identified through macroscopic and trichological examinations and molecular biology. To investigate the parasites, the Faust, Lutz and modified Ritchie and Sheather techniques and enzyme immunoassays to detect Cryptosporidium sp. antigens were used. Results: A total of 244 stool samples were collected. The species identified were Chrysocyon brachyurus, Leopardus guttulus, Canis familiaris, Cerdocyon thous, Puma yagouaroundi, Leopardus pardalis, Puma concolor and Sus scrofa. There were 81.1% samples that were positive for parasites distributed mainly in the high part of the park. Helminths, especially eggs of the family Ascarididae, were more frequently detected in carnivore faeces (70.9%). Protozoa, especially Cryptosporidium sp., represented the highest frequency of infection in artiodactyl faeces (87.1%). This zoonotic protozoon was detected in eight mammalian species, including in a wild boar. High values of structural richness and Shannon and Simpson diversity indices were observed for the parasites, especially in the faeces of C. brachyurus. Significant differences in parasite diversity were observed between wild and domestic animals, such as C. brachyurus and C. familiaris, respectively, and between taxonomically distant species, such as C. brachyurus and S. scrofa. The highest values for parasite similarity were found among the species that frequented similar areas of the park, such as C. brachyurus and L. guttulus.

Potencial do Uso de Amostras Fecais de Felinos como Ferramenta de Monitoramento Ambiental: Estudo de Caso no Parque Nacional da Serra dos Órgãos

“…A combinação de diferentes técnicas de identificação das amostras fecais, como morfologia do material fecal, tricologia dos pelos-guarda e análises moleculares do material genético extraído do sedimento fecal, aumenta o percentual de amostras coletadas identificadas, além de aumentar a confiabilidade dos resultados (Alberts et al, 2017;Dib et al, 2020;Farrell et al, 2000). A nova etapa do projeto, já em andamento, prevê a adição de técnicas moleculares na identificação as amostras.…”

“…Além da presença e uso do espaço, outras informações importantes para a conservação dos felinos podem ser obtidas a partir de suas amostras fecais, como sua dieta (Bianchi et al, 2011;Rocha-Mendes et al, 2010;Santos, 2014;Wang, 2002), saúde (Dib et al, 2018(Dib et al, , 2020, razão sexual e estimativas de tamanho populacional (Miotto et al, 2014;Pilgrim et al, 2005), bem como a avaliação de parentesco entre indivíduos e o grau de isolamento populacional (Miotto et al, 2011;Saranholi et al, 2017). Além disso, pelos de mamíferos são bons acumuladores de substâncias contaminantes devido ao seu crescimento lento, e carnívoros, como predadores de topo de cadeia, estão entre os organismos mais afetados pela magnificação trófica de poluentes, como mercúrio e poluentes orgânicos persistentes (Carvalho et al, 2020;Lopes et al, 2020).…”

A study on the prevalence of gastrointestinal parasites in carnivores and its potential implications on human health

“…Zoonotic studies were mostly focused on zoos considering the exposure risk to the general public, whereas studies on parasitic diversity among carnivores in the wild are limited (Dib et al, 2020;Figueiredo et al, 2021).…”

New Insights into Gastrointestinal and Pulmonary Parasitofauna of Wild Eurasian lynx (Lynx lynx) in the Harz Mountains of Germany

“…The aim of this study was thus to investigate the prevalence and diversity of endoparasites in the free-ranging HM lynx population in Central Germany, with particular emphasis on zoonotic parasitoses, by sampling living animals with non-invasive and non-disturbing methods [38][39][40], i.e., via scat sample collection from natural lynx habitats to be as close as possible to the in vivo situation.…”