Helminth parasites of the wolfCanis lupusfrom Latvia

Abstract

AbstractThirty-four wolves were collected between 2003 and 2008 from throughout Latvia and examined for helminths. A total of 17 helminth species were recorded: the trematodeAlaria alata(85.3%); the cestodesDiphyllobothrium latum(2.9%),Echinococcus granulosus(2.9%),Echinococcus multilocularis(5.9%),Mesocestoides lineatus(5.9%),Taenia crassiceps(8.8%),Taenia hydatigena(41.2%),Taenia (ovis) krabbei(8.8%),Taenia multiceps(47.1%),Taenia pisiformis(20.6%),Taenia polyacantha(11.8%),Taeniaspp. (8.8%); and the nematodesAncylostoma caninum(2.9%),Crenosoma vulpis(9.1%),Eucoleus aerophilus(36.4%),Pearsonema plica(41.4%),Trichinellaspp. (69.7%),Toxocara canis(5.8%), andUncinaria stenocephala(41.2%).Alaria alatapresented the highest mean intensity (403.8). All animals were infected with at least one species of parasite, while the maximum recorded in one specimen was eight. No differences in the intensity or prevalence of any helminth species were found among the host based on age and gender, except forT. multicepswhich was more prevalent in adults than in juveniles.