Helminths in Wild Canids from Three Brazilian Biomes: Parasitological and Pathological Records

Abstract

Simple Summary Parasitism in wild animals is an important bioindicator of ecosystem integrity. Wild canids, such as the crab-eating fox, maned wolf, and bush dog, inhabit natural areas subject to increasing human interference and can serve as indicators of parasite occurrence in the environment. In this study, researchers examined 19 wild canids of four species across three biomes of Brazil (Cerrado, Pantanal, and Amazon) for helminths. Seventeen parasite species, totaling 1041 worms, predominantly nematodes, were identified. Some of these parasites can also infect humans and domestic animals, causing diseases such as larva migrans (cutaneous or visceral), dioctophymosis, and sparganosis. The study yielded novel findings, including new host–parasite interactions for wild canid species. These results reinforce the importance of monitoring parasites in wild animals to survey diseases that may affect humans and domestic animals, protect biodiversity, and assess the health of natural environments.