Helminths of small carnivores (Mammalia: Carnivora) from a Tropical Dry Forest in the Colombian Caribbean
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.12834/VetIt.3689.34488.2Keywords:
Gastrointestinal endoparasites, Nematoda, Platyhelminthes, ZoonosesAbstract
Among the least explored yet highly relevant aspects of wildlife health are host–endoparasite interactions, particularly those involving helminths with zoonotic potential. Carnivores are known reservoirs of several such parasites. This study investigates the diversity of gastrointestinal helminths in small carnivores (Mammalia: Carnivora) inhabiting a tropical dry forest ecosystem in the Colombian Caribbean. A total of 60 fecal samples were collected from five species—Cerdocyon thous, Leopardus pardalis, Procyon spp., Eira barbara, and Puma yagouaroundi—within the Sanguaré Natural Reserve (Sucre, Colombia) and subjected to parasitological analysis. Eleven nematode taxa, two trematode taxa, and three forms morphologically consistent with cestodes were identified. Overall, 56.7% of the samples tested positive for at least one helminth species. The most prevalent parasite was Spirometra sp. (20%), followed by Strongyloides sp. (18%) and Toxocara sp. (13%). Notably, this study constitutes the first report of gastrointestinal helminths in Procyon spp. and Eira barbara in wild populations in Colombia. The detection of Spirometra sp. and Toxocara sp.—both genera with known zoonotic representatives—underscores the importance of monitoring parasitic infections in wild carnivores to better evaluate the potential risk of spillover to domestic animals and humans.References
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