Authors
Ana M Figueiredo, Tânia Barros, Ana M Valente, Carlos Fonseca, Luis Madeira de Carvalho, Rita Tinoco Torres
Publication date
2019/9/1
Journal
Mammalian Biology
Volume
98
Pages
154-162
Publisher
No longer published by Elsevier
Description
As a top predator, the Iberian wolf (Canis lupus signatus) plays a major role shaping interactions within food webs. Due to its conservation status in Portugal, i.e. endangered, it is important to understand the role of parasites in this population, since they can be a limiting factor for the population fitness and trophic interactions and, ultimately, their survival. From November 2017 to August 2018, 33 fresh faecal samples were collected in several transects distributed throughout Montesinho Natural Park. Samples were analysed by means of four coprological techniques. A total of three helminth parasites (Ancylostoma spp., Uncinaria spp. and Eucoleus aerophilus) were identified based on size and morphology. The overall prevalence was low (15.5%), being Ancylostoma spp. the most prevalent parasite. The three parasites found are of major concern, once they are pathogenic to humans and other wild and domestic …
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