Abstract
This study aimed to investigate the species of felids that inhabit the Serra dos Órgãos National Park (Parnaso) and gastrointestinal parasites at various stages of their life cycles in the feces of these animals. Between 2013 and 2015, felid feces were collected from trails in Parnaso. The sampling points were georeferenced. A total of 82 fecal samples were processed, of which 79 were collected on the ground, two from captured felids and one from a necropsied animal. All samples underwent coproparasitological techniques. Samples collected from the environment underwent additional trichological analysis. Fur patterns corresponding to Leopardus guttulus, Leopardus pardalis, Leopardus wiedii and Puma yagouaroundi were observed in 32 of the samples collected on the soil. High frequency of potentially parasitic evolving forms (88.6%) was observed in felid feces, particularly eggs of the family Diphyllobothriidae (68.6%). Besides, were also detected, eggs of superfamily Ascaridoidea (42.9%), nematode larvae (28.6%), eggs of order Strongylida (28.6%), Capillaria sp. (8.6%), Trichuris sp. (8.6%), eggs of order Spirurida (2.9%), unsporulated coccidian oocysts (8.6%) and Eimeria sp. (2.9%). Felid feces presented higher frequency of polyparasitism (60%) than monoparasitism (28.6%).
Highlights
Brazil is inhabited by nearly 20% of all wild felid species belonging to the genera Panthera, Puma and Leopardus (MELO et al, 2016)
The following species are found in different regions of this country: the jaguar Panthera onca and the cougar Puma concolor, which are large felines; and the following medium and small-sized felids: ocelot Leopardus pardalis, Geoffroy’s cat Leopardus geoffroyi, margay cat Leopardus wiedii, jaguarundi Puma yagouaroundi, pampas cat Leopardus colocolo, southern little spotted cat Leopardus guttulus and northern tiger cat Leopardus tigrinus (GENARO et al, 2001, IUCN, 2017)
The cuticle and medullary patterns of the guard hairs seen under the light microscope enabled identification of felid species from 32 samples, of which 10 (31.3%) were compatible with L. guttulus, 5 (15.6%) with L. pardalis, 10 (31.2%) with L. wiedii and 7 (21.9%) with P. yagouaroundi (Figure 2)
Summary
Brazil is inhabited by nearly 20% of all wild felid species belonging to the genera Panthera, Puma and Leopardus (MELO et al, 2016). Strictly carnivorous, territorial mammals and are usually found in forest environments (CHEIDA et al, 2006; WILSON & MITTERMEIER, 2009). These animals are at the top of the food chain and, carry out an extremely important ecological function. They actively influence several ecosystems and the population balance between carnivores and herbivores. They contribute towards secondary seed dispersion (SARASOLA, 2016)
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