Abstract
A total of 41 cestodes were collected during necropsy examination on 2 pumas (Puma concolor) that were found in 2 communities in Canchis province, Cuzco region, Peru, at 4500 meters above sea level (Peruvian Andes). The cestodes were evaluated morphologically and molecularly. A fragment of the mitochondrial cytochrome c oxidase subunit 1 gene (cox1) was used as a genetic marker. All the cestodes were identified as Taenia omissa. In the present report, we give a brief description by molecular and morphological diagnosis of the cestodes and compare nucleotide sequences with previous isolates from GenBank. Upon comparison, the sequences showed a difference in the cox1 gene of 5.1 to 5.3% with other teniids sequences. This finding constitutes the first report of T. omissa in Peru and expands the geographic distribution of this parasite.
Highlights
A total of 41 cestodes were collected during necropsy examination on 2 pumas (Puma concolor) that were found in 2 communities in Canchis province, Cuzco region, Peru, at 4500 meters above sea level (Peruvian Andes)
The genus Taenia Linnaeus, 1758 (Cestoda: Taeniidae) includes approximately 45 established species (HOBERG, 2006; LAVIKAINEN et al, 2008; ROSSIN et al, 2010; HAUKISALMI et al, 2011). Adult stages of these tapeworms develop in the small intestine of carnivorous mammals, and their metacestodes develop in different tissues of herbivorous or omnivorous mammals (ABULADZE, 1964)
Many studies about parasites in pumas have been published (RAUSCH et al, 1983; WAID & PENCE, 1988; RICKARD & FOREYT, 1992; FOSTER et al, 2006; DARE & WATKINS, 2012). Most of these studies were conducted in North America (RAUSCH et al, 1983; WAID & PENCE, 1988; RICKARD & FOREYT, 1992; FOSTER et al, 2006; DARE & WATKINS, 2012)
Summary
Molecular and morphological evidence of Taenia omissa in pumas (Puma concolor) in the Peruvian Highlands. Luis Antonio Gomez-Puerta1§*; Virgilio Alarcon2§; Joel Pacheco3§; Francisco Franco3§; Maria Teresa Lopez-Urbina1§; Armando Emiliano Gonzalez1§
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