Helminths of mountain lions (Felis concolor) from southwestern Texas, with a redescription of Cylicospirura subaequalis (Molin, 1860) Vevers, 1922

Abstract

Nine nematode and two cestode species were recovered from the viscera of 53 mountain lions (Felis concolor) collected from four counties in southwestern Texas. The distribution patterns of the common (> 20% prevalence) helminth species (Taenia omissa, Physaloptera praeputialis, Physaloptera rara, Cylicospirura subaequalis, Ancylostoma tubaeforme, Toxascaris leonina, Metathelazia californica, and Vogeloides felis) were overdispersed and did not change with host age or sex. Abundances of the common helminth species were examined relative to sex and age-groups of the lions. Significant differences were found for abundances of T. omissa, C. subaequalis, and T. leonina between host age-groups, and for T. omissa between host sexes. Only 2 of 29 species were shared among the helminth communities of mountain lions from Texas, Oregon, and Florida, indicating a basic disparity of species common to this host across its geographic range in North America. Taenia omissa is regarded as the single core species across this host's range in North America. New host records are reported for the occurrence of Taenia multiceps, P. rara, Gnathostoma procyonis, A. tubaeforme, and V. felis. Cylicospirura subaequalis is redescribed and compared with Cylicospirura felineus, a species commonly found in Felis lynx and Felis rufus. In addition to previously described bifid versus trifid teeth in C. subaequalis and C. felineus, respectively, differences were noted in the length of spicules in males and the location of the vulva in females.