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Seasonal prevalence of gastrointestinal parasites in desert bighorn sheep (Ovis canadensis) in northern Mexico

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  11 April 2022

J.E. García Open the ORCID record for J.E. García [Opens in a new window] ,
F.A. Rodriguez-Huerta Open the ORCID record for F.A. Rodriguez-Huerta [Opens in a new window] ,
E.A. Lozano Open the ORCID record for E.A. Lozano [Opens in a new window] ,
J. Encina Open the ORCID record for J. Encina [Opens in a new window]  and
M. Mellado Open the ORCID record for M. Mellado [Opens in a new window]
J.E. García
Affiliation:
Department of Animal Nutrition, Autonomous Agrarian University Antonio Narro, Calzada Antonio Narro 1923 Colonia Buenavista, Saltillo, Coahuila, Mexico
F.A. Rodriguez-Huerta
Affiliation:
Department of Animal Nutrition, Autonomous Agrarian University Antonio Narro, Calzada Antonio Narro 1923 Colonia Buenavista, Saltillo, Coahuila, Mexico
E.A. Lozano
Affiliation:
Department of Renewable Natural Resources, Autonomous Agrarian University Antonio Narro, Saltillo, Mexico
J. Encina
Affiliation:
Department of Renewable Natural Resources, Autonomous Agrarian University Antonio Narro, Saltillo, Mexico
M. Mellado*
Affiliation:
Department of Animal Nutrition, Autonomous Agrarian University Antonio Narro, Calzada Antonio Narro 1923 Colonia Buenavista, Saltillo, Coahuila, Mexico
*
Author for correspondence: Miguel Mellado, E-mail: melladomiguel07@gmail.com
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Abstract

This study aimed to describe the shedding pattern of gastrointestinal parasite eggs by a wild population of desert bighorn sheep (DBS; Ovis canadensis) in northern Mexico. Seventy-five fresh faecal samples were collected from the ground in each season within an hour after being expelled by these animals. The generalized linear mixed model showed that eggs per gram of faeces were highest in winter (577 ± 399) and lowest in summer (260 ± 198). Generalized linear models revealed that Strongyloides spp. predominated during most seasons with a peak in summer (85% of faecal samples analysed) and the absence of this helminth in winter. Nematodirus spp. was another helminth present in three seasons, with the presence of this nematode in 35% of the faecal samples in spring and 0% in summer. Other parasites in DBS faeces included Bunostomun spp., Trichostrongylus spp., Cooperia spp., Mecistocirrus digitatus, Haemonchus contortus, Chabertia ovina and Eimeria ovinoidalis. There were differences among seasons in the percentage of these helminths and coccidia in faecal samples for all these parasites. It was concluded that helminths egg output in DBS in a semi-arid rangeland is lowest in summer and spring and highest in autumn and winter. Furthermore, it was shown that DBS in the study site do not suffer from severe parasite burden. Therefore, this nematode parasite burden is compatible with the conservation and well-being of this particular population.

Keywords

CoprocultureEimeria ovinoidalisHaemonchus contortusNematodirus sppStrongyloides spp
Type
Research Paper
Information
Journal of Helminthology , Volume 96 , 2022 , e26
Copyright
Copyright © The Author(s), 2022. Published by Cambridge University Press

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