Parasites of the Reintroduced Iberian Lynx (<i>Lynx pardinus</i>) and Sympatric Mesocarnivores in Extremadura, Spain
Ana M. Figueiredo,
Luís Madeira de Carvalho,
María J. P. González,
Rita T. Torres,
Samuel Pla,
Juan C. Núñez-Arjona,
Carmen Rueda,
Núria Vallverdú-Coll,
Fernando Silvestre,
Jorge Peña,
David Carmena,
Miguel A. Habela,
Rafael Calero-Bernal,
Carlos Fonseca,
Fernando Nájera
Affiliations
Ana M. Figueiredo
Department of Biology and CESAM, University of Aveiro, Campus Universitário de Santiago, 3810-193 Aveiro, Portugal
Luís Madeira de Carvalho
CIISA—Centro de Investigação Interdisciplinar em Sanidade Animal, Faculdade de Medicina Veterinária, Universidade de Lisboa, Avenida da Universidade Técnica, 1300-477 Lisboa, Portugal
María J. P. González
DGMA, Junta de Extremadura Consejería de Medio Ambiente y Rural, Políticas Agrarias y Territorio, Avda. Luis Ramallo S/N, 06800 Mérida, Badajoz, Spain
Rita T. Torres
Department of Biology and CESAM, University of Aveiro, Campus Universitário de Santiago, 3810-193 Aveiro, Portugal
DGMA, Junta de Extremadura Consejería de Medio Ambiente y Rural, Políticas Agrarias y Territorio, Avda. Luis Ramallo S/N, 06800 Mérida, Badajoz, Spain
David Carmena
Parasitology Reference and Research Laboratory, Spanish National Centre for Microbiology, Majadahonda, 28220 Madrid, Spain
Miguel A. Habela
Parasitology Area, Animal Health Department, University of Extremadura, Avda. de la Universidad s/n, 10003 Cáceres, Spain
Rafael Calero-Bernal
SALUVET, Animal Health Department, Faculty of Veterinary Sciences, Complutense University of Madrid, Ciudad Universitaria s/n, 28040 Madrid, Spain
Carlos Fonseca
Department of Biology and CESAM, University of Aveiro, Campus Universitário de Santiago, 3810-193 Aveiro, Portugal
Fernando Nájera
Asistencia Técnica de la Dirección General del Medio Natural y Desarrollo Sostenible de la Junta de Comunidades de Castilla-La Mancha, Plaza del Cardenal Siliceo s/n, 45071 Toledo, Spain
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.
