Abstract
The Eurasian lynx (Lynx lynx) represents an endangered wild felid species. In Germany, it currently occurs in three isolated populations in and around the Harz Mountains, the Palatinate Forest and the Bavarian Forest. Lynx parasitic infections affect animal health and might have an influence on population performance. Therefore, we investigated the protozoan and helminth fauna of free-ranging Eurasian lynx of the Harz population with emphasis on zoonotic parasites. Individual scat samples (n = 24) were collected from wild animals between 2019 and 2021 in the Harz National Park and surrounding areas. In total, 15 taxa of endoparasites were detected, including seven nematodes (i.e., Aelurostrongylus abstrusus, Angiostrongylus spp., Uncinaria stenocephala, Toxascaris leonina, Toxocara cati, Cylicospirura spp. and Capillaria spp.), one cestode (Diphyllobothriidae) and one trematode (Heterophylidae) as well as six protozoans (i.e., Cystoisospora rivolta, Cystoisospora felis, Toxoplasma gondii/Hammondia spp., Sarcocystis spp., Giardia intestinalis and Cryptosporidium spp.). Moreover, first-stage larvae (L1) of spurious lungworm, Protostrongylus pulmonalis, originating from lagomorph preys were identified. This work represents the first report on patent A. abstrusus and Angiostrongylus spp. infections in wild German Eurasian lynxes. Some of the identified parasites represent relevant pathogens for lynxes, circulating between these carnivorous definitive hosts and a variety of mammalian and invertebrate intermediate hosts, e.g., Sarcocystis spp., T. gondii/Hammondia spp., T. cati, T. leonina, A. abstrusus and Angiostrongylus spp., while others are considered exclusively pathogenic for wild felids (e.g., Cylicospirura spp., C. rivolta, C. felis). This study provides insights in the occurrence of zooanthroponotically relevant metazoan (i.e., T. cati and U. stenocephala) and protozoan (i.e., G. intestinalis) species in free-ranging lynx. The present work should be considered as a baseline study for future monitoring surveys on endoparasites circulating in wild Eurasian lynx for appropriate management practices in lynx conservation strategies in Europe.
Highlights
The Eurasian lynx (Lynx lynx) is the largest wild felid species in Europe
The parasitological evaluation of Eurasian lynx faeces through standardised coprological methods simultaneously unveiled a wide variety of parasite species and stages
Regardless of the fact that T. cati is a common lynx parasite, this nematode can cause enteritis with severe clinical signs leading to cachexia and a reduced general condition in juvenile wild felids, making these young animals more receptive to other diseases [32]
Summary
The Eurasian lynx (Lynx lynx) is the largest wild felid species in Europe. It was once widespread in Central Europe. It became extinct in this geographic region due to the fact of human persecution and to increased habitat losses [1]. 200 years of absence, the Eurasian lynx has recently been reintroduced in some geographic regions in Germany and other central European countries, owing to several successful conservation projects [1]. This large feline carnivore species is currently strictly protected and well monitored in Germany (Figure 1). Since 2020, the Eurasian lynx has been listed as critically endangered on the Red List of the German Federal Agency for Nature Conservation [2]
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