title: Helminth parasites of the endangered Iberian lynx (Lynx pardinus) and sympatric carnivores.
abstract: Five critically endangered Iberian lynxes (Lynx pardinus) and 35 other sympatric carnivores (19 feral cats Felis catus, 12 Egyptian mongooses Herpestes ichneumon, and 4 common genets Genetta genetta) were analysed for helminths in Sierra Morena and Doñana area (southern Spain). Ancylostoma tubaeforme, which was believed to be harmful for lynx cubs according to a previous study, was present in the only lynx and in 53% of cats analysed in Doñana (80% in adult cats). Other species shared in both areas were Toxocara cati (1 lynx, 31% of cats), Joyeuxiella pasqualei (1 lynx, 21% of cats) and Mesocestoides sp. (2 lynxes, 5% of cats). Only one mongoose was parasitized, harbouring larvae of two acantocephalan species not previously reported in the Iberian peninsula (Centrorhynchus (Sphaerirostris) lancea and Centrorhynchus (Longirostris) undulatus). Feral cats may be a reservoir for hookworms and other helminths affecting the Iberian lynx. In contrast, mongooses and genets may not play a role in the epidemiology of these species.
authors.affiliation: Department of Conservation Biology, Estación Biológica de Doñana (CSIC), Pabellón del Perú, Avda María Luisa s/n, 41013, Sevilla, Spain. syngamustrachea@hotmail.com
authors.forename: Javier
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Millán
authors.forename: Joan Carles
authors.initials: JC
authors.lastname: Casanova
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D000835:Animals, Wild / Q000469:parasitology; D002335:Carnivora / Q000469:parasitology*; D003247:Conservation of Natural Resources; D006373:Helminthiasis / Q000469:parasitology*; D006376:Helminths / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D007411:Intestinal Diseases, Parasitic / Q000662:veterinary*; D046008:Lynx / Q000469:parasitology*; D013030:Spain