title: Arthropod and helminth parasites of the wild guinea pig, Cavia aperea, from the Andes and the cordillera in Peru, South America.
abstract: As part of an ongoing research project concerning the diversity and distribution of parasites of Caviidae in South America, 143 wild guinea pigs (Cavia aperea) were collected from 3 localities in the Andean Highlands of Peru. Samples were collected between November 1996 and May 1999 and included representatives of arthropods, nematodes, and trematodes. Seven species of arthropods: Leptopsylla segnis (27.3%), Tiamastus cavicola (6.9%), Gliricola porcelli (55.2%), Hoplopleura alata (6.9%), Polyplax spinulosa (12.6%), Myobia musculi (1.4%), and Eutrombicula bryanti (49.6%); 4 species of nematodes: Capillaria hepatica (6.9%), Graphidioides mazzai (18.8%), Trichuris gracilis (3.5%), and Paraspirudera uncinata (37%); and a single trematode, Fasciola hepatica (4.2%), were identified.
authors.affiliation: Institute of Parasitology, Veterinary Faculty, University of Leipzig, Germany. katharinad@hotmail.com
authors.forename: Katharina
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Dittmar
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D001181:Arthropods / Q000254:growth & development*; D006168:Guinea Pigs / Q000469:parasitology*; D006376:Helminths / Q000254:growth & development*; D010568:Peru