The taxonomy of Capillaria spp. (Nematoda: Trichuroidea) in carnivorous mammals from Ontario, Canada

Abstract

IntroductionFour species of Capillaria were found in eight species of wild carnivorous mammals (286 carcasses) taken in Ontario, Canada. C. plica was found in the urinary bladder of raccoon (Procyon lotor), red fox (Vuipes vulpes), coyote (Canis latrans), fisher (Martes pennanti) and striped skunk (Mephitis mephitis); C. putorii in the stomach and intestine of short-tailed weasel (Mustela erminea), mink (M. vison), fisher, marten (Mattes americana), striped skunk and raccoon; C. aerophila in the mucosa of the trachea and bronchi of red fox and marten and C. procyonis in the epithelial lining of the oesophagus of raccoon and striped skunk. All four Capillaria spp. are redescribed and specimens of each species from different host species are compared. A key to the identification of the above species as well as C. didelphis and (7. hepatica is presented. Specimens of C. erinacei and additional material of C. putorii were obtained on loan. Specimens named C. mustelorum by previous authors were collected from carnivores in Ontario. C. mustelorum and C. erinacei are considered to be synonyms of C. putorii.The genus Capillaria is briefly reviewed historically and the recognition of other genera, based on single characters, is discussed and rejected.The possibility of accommodating the Capillaria spp. from Canadian carnivorous mammals in the sub-genera Capillaria and Thominx is discussed and dismissed.t Present address: attempted to split the genus Capillaria by placing species in other genera of which the following have been recognized in recent papers;

First report of Eucoleus boehmi in red foxes (Vulpis vulpis) in Denmark, based on coprological examination

“…1). The pits on E. boehmi eggs are of different sizes and are generally round to oval, which is different from the netted appearance of eggs of E. aerophilus (Supperer 1953;Butterworth and Beverley-Burton 1980;Campbell 1991;Campell and Little 1991;Schoning et al 1993;Romashov et al 2000;Conboy 2009;Traversa et al 2010;Magi et al 2012).…”

“…A few studies based on post mortem analysis of cardiopulmonary organs in foxes included steps of examining the nasal and cranial sinuses (Table II), leaving a gap in our knowledge on E. boehmi prevalence that might be under estimated (Campbell and Little 1991;Manas et al 2005). Periodical egg (Supperer 1953;Butterworth and Beverley-Burton 1980;Campbell 1991;Campell and Little 1991;Schoning et al 1993;Moravec 2000;Romashov et al 2000;Conboy 2009;Traversa et al 2010;Di Cesare et al 2012). Size range of length (black) and width (grey) of trichuroid eggs commonly recovered in many carnivore species.…”

Distribution of Crenosoma Vulpis and Eucoleus Aerophilus in the Lung of Free-Ranging Red Foxes (Vulpes Vulpes)

“…11,15 One epidemiological study in Canada showed that as many as 67.2% of foxes in New Brunswick and Nova Scotia and 44% in Ontario were parasitized with E. aerophilus. 3,14 Infected animals suffered chronic respiratory disease with poor growth and decreased fur quality. Heavy infections could lead to significant mortality because of bronchopneumonia.…”

“…This finding was consistent with a study that reported 66% of the E. aerophilus worm burden was recovered from the trachea of infected red foxes. 3 The possibility exists that postmortem parasitic migration may have biased the location in which the 2 parasites were microscopically seen in airways. 13 Postmortem migration was not a likely concern for E. aerophilus because this nematode was typically embedded in the bronchial mucosa as reported previously by others.…”

The taxonomy of Capillaria spp. (Nematoda: Trichuroidea) in North American freshwater fishes

“…Diagnosis after Butterworth & Beverley-Burton (1980) Trichuroidea Railliet, 1916Trichuridae Railliet, 1915;Capillariinae Railliet, 1915. Small nematodes, body filiform.…”