Gastrointestinal and ectoparasites in wildlife-ungulates undercaptive and free-living conditions in the Mexican tropic

Abstract

Gastrointestinal parasites and ectoparasites were identified in white-tailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus), collaredpeccary (Pecari tajacu) and brocket deer (Mazama americana) in free-living conditions and captivity in the Mexicantropics. Twelve free-living ungulates were hunted (four white-tailed deer, three brocket deer and five collaredpeccaries) to obtain samples of faeces and ectoparasites. Fifty-five captive ungulates (14 white-tail deer, 16 brocketdeer and 35 collared peccaries) were sampled to obtain faeces and ectoparasites. To identify the genera and orderof parasites, faecal samples were analyzed by Flotation and McMaster techniques. Egg and oocyst per gram of faeceswere also calculated. Ectoparasites collected from ungulates were classified to genera and species level using specificidentification keys. Positive samples of nematode of the order strongylida and protozoos of the order Eucoccidioridawere cultivated and classified. In white-tailed and brocket deer the following genera of parasites were identified:Strongyloides, Trichuris, Capillaria, Mammomonogamus and Eimeria. In collared peccaries the genera Oesophagostomun,Eimeria and Isospora were identified. The flea Pulex irritans and the louse Gliricola porcelli infested brocket deer andcollared peccary, while the fly Lipoptena sp was collected from white-tailed deer. The tick Amblyomma cajennese wasfound parasitizing the three ungulate species studied. It is concluded that wild ungulates are parasitized withgastrointestinal nematodes, protozoa of the order Eucoccidiorida, fleas, lice, flies and ticks.