J.C. Casanova

Endoparasite species richness of Iberian carnivores: influences of host density and range distribution

Abstract.We investigate the determinants of macroparasite species richness of Iberian carnivores. For this, we used the parasitological data collected on 14 species of carnivores over a 10-year period. These previously unpublished data permitted to estimate parasite species richness using estimators of species richness, i.e. Jackknife first order and Chao 2. Most of the parasite species were rare, with low prevalence. Potential determinants were investigated as possible factors explaining the variability of parasites species richness among carnivores host body mass, host geographical range, host longevity and host density. Using independent contrasts, we found positive relationships between residuals of estimates of parasite species richness and residuals in host density, and between residuals of estimates of parasite species richness and residuals in host range. These results are discussed in terms of risk of extinction and invasion abilities related to a possible investment in immune defences correlated with parasite diversity.

Helminths of the brown rat (Rattus norvegicus) (Berkenhout, 1769) in the city of Palermo, Italy

SummaryA helminthological survey was performed on 143 brown rats (Rattus norvegicus) from the city of Palermo (Italy). The overall prevalence of helminth infection was 98.60 %. The following parasites were found: Brachylaima sp. (prevalence 8.39 %) (Trematoda); Taenia taeniaeformis larvae (11.89 %), Rodentolepis nana (13.29 %), Hymenolepis diminuta (24.48 %) (Cestoda); Gongylonema sp., (4.90 %), Syphacia muris (8.39 %), Nippostrongylus brasiliensis (18.88 %), Eucoleus gastricus (30.07 %), Mastophorus muris (30.77 %), Capillaria hepatica (54.55 %), Heterakis spumosa (82.52 %) (Nematoda) and one acanthocephalan (0.70 %). The species found in males were also present in females, with the exception of the acanthocephalan. No significant differences were found between males and females in prevalence (P%) or mean infection intensity (MI). However, a significant correlation between both P% and MI, as well as host age, was observed in some helminth species. Hosts were infected by one to six helminth species (median = 3). This is the first report from Sicily of helminths in R. norvegicus.

Helminth fauna of Talpa spp. in the Palaearctic Realm

The helminth fauna of the genus Talpa in the Palaearctic Realm is reviewed. Several helminth species reported in Talpa spp. by a number of authors are discussed, with reference to host specificity, parasite biology, and host ethology, ecology and phylogeny. Twelve species of cestodes were found, two of which exhibit stenoxenous specificity (Staphylocystis bacillaris and Multitesticulata filamentosa). Only three species of trematodes, Ityogonimus lorum, Ityogonimus ocreatus and Combesia macrobursata, are exclusive parasites of Talpa spp. The largest group are nematodes, with 37 species. Species of Tricholinstowia are parasites of holarctic talpids and several species of distinct genera, such as Capillaria, Soboliphyme and Trichuris, are found only in Talpa spp. Only acanthocephalans of the genus Moniliformis have been reported in moles of the genus Talpa. On the basis of these helminthological findings, the close phylogenetic relationship between moles (Talpidae) and shrews (Soricidae) supports the separation of the ordinal levels Soricomorpha and Erinaceomorpha.

Taenia spp.: 18S rDNA microsatellites for molecular systematic diagnosis

The 18S rDNA gene of adult worms of Taenia parva found in Genetta genetta in the Iberian Peninsula and larval stages of T. pisiformis from the wild rabbit (Oryctolagus cuniculus) in Tenerife (Canary Islands) were amplified and sequenced. The sequences of the 18S rDNA gene of T. parva (1768 bp) and T. pisiformis (1760 bp) are reported for the first time (GenBank accession nos. AJ555167-AJ555168 and AJ555169-AJ555170, respectively). In 168 alignment positions microsatellites in the 18S rDNA of both taxa were detected for the first time (TGC in T. parva and TGCT in T. pisiformis) and differences in their sequences with different repetition numbers were observed. The use of nucleotide sequences of this gene in the resolution of systematic problems in cestodes is discussed with reference to the systematic status of Taenia spp. and mainly in human taeniids such as T. solium, T. saginata, and Asian human isolates of Taenia.

Raillietiella morenoi sp. n. (Pentastomida) from Gallotia atlantica (Peters and Doria, 1882) (Lacertidae) in the Canary Islands

Raillietiella morenoi sp. n., a new cephalobaenid pentastomid found in the lungs of Gallotia atlantica collected in the Canary Islands, is described. The new species belongs to the sharp-tipped posterior-hook type. The annulus number, morphology, and dimensions of copulatory spicules and the dimensions of anterior and posterior hooks separate Raillietiella sp. n. from the other raillietiedid sharp-tipped posterior-hook species of small lizard parasites in Africa. The host character of endemic protected species of G. atlantica in Alegranza Island posed great difficulty in obtaining more parasite materials. However, more studies are required to state the variability of this species and its possible distribution in other species in the Canary Islands, as well as in other Gallotia spp.

The helminth community of Talpa romana (Thomas, 1902) (Insectivora, Talpidae) in southern Italy

Abstract. The helminth parasite community of Talpa romana in Calabria (southern Italy ) was studied. The helminth fauna comprised six species: Ityogonimus ocreatus (Goeze 1782), Staphylocistis bacillaris (Goeze 1782), Capillaria talpae (Siebold 1850), Parastrongyloides winchesi (Morgan 1928), Spirura talpae (Gmelin 1790), and Tricholinstowia linstowi (Travassos 1918). All species except S. bacillaris were dominant in this community. The helminths are all stenoxenous species of Paleartic Talpa spp. This paper is the first quantitative approach to the helminth community of T. romana and reveals typical characteristics of an isolationist community. This can be explained by genetic and paleogeographic events.

The helminth fauna of the barbary partridge Alectoris barbara in Tenerife, Canary Islands

The helminth fauna of the barbary partridge (Alectoris barbara) in Tenerife Island (Canary Archipelago) was studied from 2001 to 2002, as there were no records of helminths from this host in the Canary Islands. Seven helminth species were identified: two cestodes Choanotaenia infundibulum and Lyruterina nigropunctata, and five nematodes Aonchotheca caudinflata, Baruscapillaria obsignata, Eucoleus annulatus, Ascaridia galli and Heterakis gallinarum. Lyruterina nigropunctata, A. galli and E. annulatus are recorded for first time in A. barbara. An analysis of available data on Alectoris spp. reveals the importance of intermediate hosts such as arthropods and earthworms in the diet of partridges. Terrestrial helminths are dominant species, with monoxenous and heteroxenous species being present in similar numbers in different Alectoris species along their geographical distribution. Helminth species found in Tenerife from A. barbara are poor indicators of the host colonization from North Africa because these helminths are species that are commonly found in fowl with a cosmopolitan distribution.

Agfa morandi sp. n. (Rhabditida, Agfidae) a parasite of Limax sp. (Gastropoda, Limacidae).

Abstract.Agfa morandi sp. n. (Rhabditida, Agfidae), a parasite of Limax sp. (Gastropoda, Limacidae) from Py (Pyrenean mountains, France), is described and illustrated. The present species can be separated from the other two members of the same genus, A. flexilis (Rudolphi, 1819) Morand, 1990 and A. tauricus Korol and Spiridonov, 1991, by size measurements, number and disposition of the males genital papillae, shape of the spicule and number of eggs in the female.

Distribution of the cestode Taenia parva (Taeniidae) along the digestive tract of the common genet (Genetta genetta)

SummaryThe small intestine of the common genet is the habitat of Taenia parva (Taeniidae), a common parasite whose intermediate host is Apodemus spp. (Rodentia). Here we divided the small intestine of 51 common genets into sections and analysed them separately. Cestodes were classified into four categories: larval, pre-adult, adult and gravid specimens. A total of 4,443 individuals were recovered and classified: 543 larval stages, 2,326 pre-adults, 872 adults and 702 gravid specimens. A double analysis was performed by checking the distribution of the parasite along the digestive tract and comparing this distribution with reproductive fitness. This is the first study to test the border effect on the distribution of T. parva in its habitat. We also tested and demonstrated the Ideal Free Distribution Model (IFM model). A non-random distribution was found, with the lowest parasite frequencies in the top and the bottom portions of the small intestine. Maturity classes of cestodes vs. intestine portion were tested and no differences between portions were detected. We also analysed seasonal changes in parasite frequency. Log-linear analysis showed that the mean frequency of cestode occurrence per individual host was higher during winter, followed by spring, autumn and summer.