Parasitic helminths of the wild rabbit,Oryctolagus cuniculus, in different bioclimatic zones in Tenerife, Canary Islands

Abstract

AbstractFaunistic and ecological analyses of the wild rabbit helminth fauna were undertaken in Tenerife island (Canary Islands). Rabbits were collected between 1998 and 2000 in seven bioclimatic zones in Tenerife selected by orientation and altitude. Five parasite species were identified, three cestodes (Taenia pisiformis(larvae),Andrya cuniculiandMosgovoyia ctenoides) and two nematodes (Trichostrongylus retortaeformisandPassalurus ambiguus).Taenia pisiformispresented an irregular distribution with significant differences in prevalences between the zones.Andrya cuniculiwas only found in two zones and there were no significant differences in prevalence values.Mosgovoyia ctenoidespresented a wide distribution with significant prevalences, which were higher in northern compared to southern zones.Trichostrongylus retortaeformiswas absent in the low southern zones of the island.Passalurus ambiguuswas found in all zones with no significant difference in the prevalence of infection. The differences in prevalences are likely to be explained by abiotic factors in the case ofT. retortaeformis, and by the absence of definitive and intermediate hosts in the case ofT. pisiformisandA. cuniculi, respectively. All parasite species in Tenerife are common helminths in the Iberian Peninsula, from which their rabbit hosts originated. No significant differences were recorded in the mean intensities of infection of any of the parasite species identified.