Italian wolves (Canis lupus italicusAltobello, 1921) and molecular detection of taeniids in the Foreste Casentinesi National Park, Northern Italian Apennines.
After centuries of massive decline, the recovery of the wolf (Canis lupus italicus) in Italy is a typical conservation success story. To learn more about the possible role of parasites in the wolves' individual and population health and conservation we used non-invasive molecular approaches on fecal samples to identify individual wolves, pack membership, and the taeniids present, some of which are zoonotic. A total of 130 specimens belonging to 54 wolves from eight packs were collected and examined. Taeniid eggs were isolated using a sieving/flotation technique, and the species level was identified by PCR (gene target: 12S rRNA andnad1). Taeniid prevalence was 40.7% forTaenia hydatigena, 22.2% forT.krabbei, 1.8% forT. polyachantaand 5.5% forEchinococcus granulosus. The prevalence ofE. granulosusis discussed. Our results show that the taeniid fauna found in wolves from the Foreste Casentinesi National Park is comparable to that described for other domestic and wild Italian canids and provides insights into the wolves' diet and their relationship with the environment.
Alma Mater Studiorum, Department of Veterinary Medical Science, Via Tolara di Sopra, 50-40064, Ozzano dell'Emilia, Bologna, Italy.
Giovanni
G
Poglayen
Institute of Parasitology, University of Zurich, Winterthurerstrasse 266a, CH-8057 Zurich, Switzerland.
Francesca
F
Gori
Alma Mater Studiorum, Department of Veterinary Medical Science, Via Tolara di Sopra, 50-40064, Ozzano dell'Emilia, Bologna, Italy.
Benedetto
B
Morandi
Alma Mater Studiorum, Department of Veterinary Medical Science, Via Tolara di Sopra, 50-40064, Ozzano dell'Emilia, Bologna, Italy.
Roberta
R
Galuppi
Genetics Laboratory, Institute for Environmental Protection and Research (ISPRA), Ozzano dell'Emilia, Bologna, Italy.
Elena
E
Fabbri
Genetics Laboratory, Institute for Environmental Protection and Research (ISPRA), Ozzano dell'Emilia, Bologna, Italy.
Romolo
R
Caniglia
Genetics Laboratory, Institute for Environmental Protection and Research (ISPRA), Ozzano dell'Emilia, Bologna, Italy.
Pietro
P
Milanesi
Genetics Laboratory, Institute for Environmental Protection and Research (ISPRA), Ozzano dell'Emilia, Bologna, Italy.
Marco
M
Galaverni
Genetics Laboratory, Institute for Environmental Protection and Research (ISPRA), Ozzano dell'Emilia, Bologna, Italy.
Ettore
E
Randi
Alma Mater Studiorum, Department of Veterinary Medical Science, Via Tolara di Sopra, 50-40064, Ozzano dell'Emilia, Bologna, Italy.
Barbara
B
Marchesi
Institute of Parasitology, University of Zurich, Winterthurerstrasse 266a, CH-8057 Zurich, Switzerland.
Peter
P
Deplazes
Canis lupus italicus; Molecular identification; National park; Non-invasive genetics; Parasites; Taeniids