Parasites of the Reintroduced Iberian Lynx (Lynx pardinus) and Sympatric Mesocarnivores in Extremadura, Spain

Abstract

The Iberian lynx (Lynx pardinus) is one of the most endangered felid species in the world. Conservation efforts have increased its population size and distribution and reinforced their genetic diversity through captive breeding and reintroduction programmes. Among several threats that the Iberian lynx faces, infectious and parasitic diseases have underlined effects on the health of their newly reintroduced populations, being essential to identify the primary sources of these agents and assess populations health status. To achieve this, 79 fresh faecal samples from Iberian lynx and sympatric mesocarnivores were collected in the reintroduction area of Extremadura, Spain. Samples were submitted to copromicroscopic analyses to assess parasite diversity, prevalence, and mean intensity of parasite burden. Overall, 19 (24.1%, ±15.1–35.0) samples were positive for at least one enteric parasite species. Parasite diversity and prevalence were higher in the Iberian lynx (43.8%) compared with the others mesocarnivores under study (e.g., the red fox Vulpes vulpes and the Egyptian mongoose Herpestes ichneumon). Ancylostomatidae and Toxocara cati were the most prevalent (15.6%) parasites. Obtained results revealed that Iberian lynx role as predator control might have reduced parasite cross-transmission between this felid and mesocarnivores due to their decreasing abundances. Surveillance programs must include regular monitoring of this endangered felid, comprising mesocarnivores, but also domestic/feral and wild cat communities.

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

“…trematodes, cestodes and nematodes as more prevalent than protozoa in carnivores of the reserve. The species identified in the study were also previously reported from wild carnivores (Acharjyo, 2004;Beltrame et al, 2018;Colon & Patton, 2013;Figueiredo et al, 2021;Wicker et al, 2017), except Eimeria spp., Isospora spp. and Opisthorchis spp.…”

“…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).…”

“…These species also act as indicator of overlapping between sylvatic and domestic animals species Infections with Toxocara spp. Causes toxocariasis in humans leading to Visceral larva migrans (VLM), Ocular larva migrans (OLM) and Covert toxocariasis (CT).Humans can be infected by ingestion of larvae in undercooked infected organ or muscle tissues (rare); infective eggs from contaminated soil (gardens, sandpits and playgrounds); from unwashed hands or raw vegetablesAcharjyo (2004);Beltrame et al (2018);Figueiredo et al (2021)…”

Intestinal Parasites of Neotropical Wild Jaguars, Pumas, Ocelots, and Jaguarundis in Colombia: Old Friends Brought Back from Oblivion and New Insights

“…eggs tends to be of lower sensitivity when compared to carcass evaluation, since taeniid eggs are usually passed within mature proglottids, and show intermittent shedding analogously to other cestodes. [ 52 ]. The acanthocephalan genus Oncicola , consisting of twenty-four recognized species, has been circulating in South American felines for almost 9000 years [ 53 , 54 ].…”

Felid Parasitoses, New Insights and Open Perspectives

“…In Spain, the endoparasites of the reintroduced Iberian lynx and some sympatric wild mesocarnivores were investigated by copromicroscopical examinations by Figueiredo et al [9]. As the authors suggest, it is important to maintain surveillance in reintroduction programs of endangered species, and monitoring of pathogens must include sympatric wild animal species as well as domestic animals that may share the same parasites, so that preventive measures can be applied in a timely manner [9]. Endoparasites found in wild felids (jaguar, ocelot, puma, and jaguarundi) from Colombia are reported by Uribe et al [10].…”