Ecology of Helminth Parasitism in the Bobcat from West Texas

Publisher Website
Google Scholar
Abstract
One trematode, 2 cestode, 11 nematode, and 1 acanthocephalan species were collected from 66 bobcats Felis rufus in the Rolling Plains of West Texas [USA] between 1973 and 1977. These helminths included Alaria maricanae (5% of the bobcats infected), Taenia rileyi (91%), Mesocestoides corti (36%), Physaloptera praeputialis (88%), Cyathospirura chevreuxi (80%), Cyclicospirura felineus (70%), Didelphonema longispiculatum (5%), Toxascaris leonina (91%), Toxacara mystax (17%), Ancylostoma tubaeforme (58%), Pterygondermatites cahirensis (3%), Vogeloides felis (80%), Metathelazia californica (73%), Capillaria aerophila (3%) and Oncicola canis (14%). Scarring of the aorta due to Spirocerca lupi was observed in 35% of these animals. All hosts were infected with from 2-11 helminth species (.hivin.x = 7.4 spp.). Simpson''s index for all helminth species was low (0.10) indicating a lack of dominance of particular species in the helminth population of this host. Comparison of the helminth fauna of bobcats in West Texas with those of 4 other geographic areas in North America using Sorenson''s index of similarity indicated a basic dissimilarity in helminth faunas of bobcats in different regions. Associations between the more prevalent helminth species were determined using frequency of occurrence and mean levels of infections. Significant relationships were noted in the frequency of occurrence of 8 pairs of helminth species. Cole''s coefficient of association indicated a positive association between these species. Analysis of mean infection levels indicated significant relationships between 6 pairs of helminth species. A clumped distribution was indicated among the several species of spirurid nematodes occurring in the bobcat. These associations are explained in terms of the food habits (intermediate and paratenic hosts) and age of the host. Comparison of helminth species with the sex of the host based on frequency of occurrence indicated males were significantly more often infected with C. felineus and M. californica. Comparison of mean levels of infection indicated males had significantly higher levels of infection with C. chevreuxi, V. felis and T. rileyi.

This publication has 1 reference indexed in Scilit: