Trichostrongylus retortaeformis (Zeder, 1800) (Nematoda, Trichostrongyloidea) in Lepus europaeus (Pallas, 1778) in southern Brazil

Abstract

The aim of this study was to evaluate the presence of helminthes parasitizing hares (Lepus europaeus) in southern Brazil. The intestinal tracts of seven hares were opened and the contents were sieved. Among the seven animals in the study, Trichostrongylus retortaeformis parasitized six (85.7%). This study will be expanded and more animals captured to evaluate the occurrence of other helminthes and to assess whether the high prevalence of T. retortaeformis is accurate, as well as to assess the abundance and intensity of parasites. To our knowledge, this is the first record of T.retortaeformis parasitizing L. europaeus in southern Brazil.