Parasite load in the Iberian ibex, Capra pyrenaica victoriae

Abstract

Parasitic infections in the Iberian ibex are common, serious and well documented. Most studies, however, focus on the subspecies Capra pyrenaica hispanica, found in the south and east of the Iberian peninsula, and few studies have investigated the subspecies Capra pyrenaica victoriae in the centre of the peninsula. Here we add to the information about C. p. victoriae, analyzing samples of this subspecies in the National Park of Sierra de Guadarrama. We found parasites in 97% of samples and identified a total of 11 helminth taxa. The most abundant genus in the analysis was Muellerius. Despite the frequency of parasites, the general health of the population seemed good.

Keywords

• Iberian ibex
• Parasites
• National Park
• Faecal sample