Preliminary findings on the gastrointestinal parasites of the brown bear (Ursus arctos) in the Cantabrian mountains, Spain

• Published in: Veterinary Parasitology: Regional Studies and Reports
• Main Authors: Costa, Helena, Hartasanchez, Roberto, Santos, Ana Rita, Camarao, António, Cruz, Lígia, Nascimento, Mariana, Gomes, Lídia, Madeira de Carvalho, Luís
• Format: Article in Journal/Newspaper
• Language: English
• Published: Elsevier 2022
• Subjects: Brown bear; Trichuris sp; Dicrocoelium sp; Cantabrian mountains; Spain; Ursus arctos
• Online Access: http://hdl.handle.net/10400.5/24687; https://doi.org/10.1016/j.vprsr.2021.100681

Research Areas: Parasitology Veterinary Sciences ABSTRACT - No study is currently available on the parasitofauna of the population of brown bears (Ursus arctos) inhabiting the Cantabrian Mountains in Spain. The aim of the present study was to obtain novel information on diversity and prevalence of gastrointestinal parasites in these individuals. During August 2016 and from May to July 2017, 14 fecal samples were collected from the western Cantabrian bear subpopulation, in the Somiedo Natural Park, in the Spanish province of Asturias. The prevalence of parasites detected was 71% and two genera were identified: Dicrocoelium sp. and Trichuris sp. Since the impact that pathogens such as endoparasites can have on the health of bears, together with other stressors, is still poorly understood, research efforts that include disease surveillance are critical to the successful protection of this emblematic species. Our preliminary findings require further investigations, with a wider sampling effort, and bring awareness for the need of carrying further studies on this area as a part of a proactive species management plan. info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersion