Parasitic findings on threatened pudu deer from Central Chile accounts first genetic characterization of lice parasitizing P. puda in Chile and the first molecular report of Taenia hydatigena metacestodes in this species

Southern pudu (Pudu puda) is a threatened endemic deer of the temperate forests of Chile. In recent years pudu populations rates have decreased mainly due to anthropogenic causes including forest loss and landscape fragmentation. In this context, the parasitic fauna of Chilean pudu has been scarcely...

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Main Authors: Tamara Muñoz-Caro, María Fernanda González, Rodrigo Villalobos, Alejandro Hidalgo
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Taylor & Francis Group 2024-12-01
Series:Veterinary Quarterly
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Online Access:https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/10.1080/01652176.2024.2302027
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author Tamara Muñoz-Caro
María Fernanda González
Rodrigo Villalobos
Alejandro Hidalgo
author_facet Tamara Muñoz-Caro
María Fernanda González
Rodrigo Villalobos
Alejandro Hidalgo
author_sort Tamara Muñoz-Caro
collection DOAJ
description Southern pudu (Pudu puda) is a threatened endemic deer of the temperate forests of Chile. In recent years pudu populations rates have decreased mainly due to anthropogenic causes including forest loss and landscape fragmentation. In this context, the parasitic fauna of Chilean pudu has been scarcely investigated. The aim of this study was to determine the parasitic status of rescued pudu n = 13 from its natural habitat in Central Chile (Maule region) during March 2022 and June 2023 by applying morphological, histopathological, and molecular analyses. As result, we report the presence of transmission of parasites from dogs to pudus as showed by the presence of metacestodes of the parasite Taenia hydatigena on omentum, liver, and pleura of pudus during postmortem examinations, being the first molecular report on the presence of this parasite on Chilean pudu. Meanwhile, ectoparasite examinations determined the presence of chewing and sucking lice on pudu exemplars here analysed. Molecular and phylogenetic analysis of lice revealed new insights on Bovicola and Anoplura lice parasitizing P. puda in Chile, equally being the first genetic characterization of lice parasitizing pudu exemplars in Chile. In addition, parasite loads of lice and metacestodes were analysed. However, no statistically significance was observed when comparing environmental and individual traits influence on parasite load variation. Overall, the study area is the northern limit of habitat distribution of this specie in Chile and we here provide novel information on pudu deer parasites, thus making a useful and valuable contribution to the parasitological knowledge on this threatened species.
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spelling doaj-art-fb3ad3fb3b4e47f5a4c93658f4b349bf2025-08-20T02:50:37ZengTaylor & Francis GroupVeterinary Quarterly0165-21761875-59412024-12-014411810.1080/01652176.2024.2302027Parasitic findings on threatened pudu deer from Central Chile accounts first genetic characterization of lice parasitizing P. puda in Chile and the first molecular report of Taenia hydatigena metacestodes in this speciesTamara Muñoz-Caro0María Fernanda González1Rodrigo Villalobos2Alejandro Hidalgo3Escuela de Medicina Veterinaria, Facultad de Medicina Veterinaria y Recursos Naturales, Universidad Santo Tomás, Talca, ChileEscuela de Medicina Veterinaria, Facultad de Medicina Veterinaria y Recursos Naturales, Universidad Santo Tomás, Talca, ChileMédico Veterinario Encargado de Fauna Silvestre, Servicio Agrícola Ganadero (SAG), Talca, ChileLaboratorio de Inmunoparasitología Molecular, Departamento de Ciencias Preclínicas, Facultad de Medicina, Centro de Excelencia en Medicina Traslacional (CEMT), Universidad de La Frontera, Temuco, ChileSouthern pudu (Pudu puda) is a threatened endemic deer of the temperate forests of Chile. In recent years pudu populations rates have decreased mainly due to anthropogenic causes including forest loss and landscape fragmentation. In this context, the parasitic fauna of Chilean pudu has been scarcely investigated. The aim of this study was to determine the parasitic status of rescued pudu n = 13 from its natural habitat in Central Chile (Maule region) during March 2022 and June 2023 by applying morphological, histopathological, and molecular analyses. As result, we report the presence of transmission of parasites from dogs to pudus as showed by the presence of metacestodes of the parasite Taenia hydatigena on omentum, liver, and pleura of pudus during postmortem examinations, being the first molecular report on the presence of this parasite on Chilean pudu. Meanwhile, ectoparasite examinations determined the presence of chewing and sucking lice on pudu exemplars here analysed. Molecular and phylogenetic analysis of lice revealed new insights on Bovicola and Anoplura lice parasitizing P. puda in Chile, equally being the first genetic characterization of lice parasitizing pudu exemplars in Chile. In addition, parasite loads of lice and metacestodes were analysed. However, no statistically significance was observed when comparing environmental and individual traits influence on parasite load variation. Overall, the study area is the northern limit of habitat distribution of this specie in Chile and we here provide novel information on pudu deer parasites, thus making a useful and valuable contribution to the parasitological knowledge on this threatened species.https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/10.1080/01652176.2024.2302027Southern puduPudu pudaTaenia hydatigenalicelousewildlife conservation
spellingShingle Tamara Muñoz-Caro
María Fernanda González
Rodrigo Villalobos
Alejandro Hidalgo
Parasitic findings on threatened pudu deer from Central Chile accounts first genetic characterization of lice parasitizing P. puda in Chile and the first molecular report of Taenia hydatigena metacestodes in this species
Veterinary Quarterly
Southern pudu
Pudu puda
Taenia hydatigena
lice
louse
wildlife conservation
title Parasitic findings on threatened pudu deer from Central Chile accounts first genetic characterization of lice parasitizing P. puda in Chile and the first molecular report of Taenia hydatigena metacestodes in this species
title_full Parasitic findings on threatened pudu deer from Central Chile accounts first genetic characterization of lice parasitizing P. puda in Chile and the first molecular report of Taenia hydatigena metacestodes in this species
title_fullStr Parasitic findings on threatened pudu deer from Central Chile accounts first genetic characterization of lice parasitizing P. puda in Chile and the first molecular report of Taenia hydatigena metacestodes in this species
title_full_unstemmed Parasitic findings on threatened pudu deer from Central Chile accounts first genetic characterization of lice parasitizing P. puda in Chile and the first molecular report of Taenia hydatigena metacestodes in this species
title_short Parasitic findings on threatened pudu deer from Central Chile accounts first genetic characterization of lice parasitizing P. puda in Chile and the first molecular report of Taenia hydatigena metacestodes in this species
title_sort parasitic findings on threatened pudu deer from central chile accounts first genetic characterization of lice parasitizing p puda in chile and the first molecular report of taenia hydatigena metacestodes in this species
topic Southern pudu
Pudu puda
Taenia hydatigena
lice
louse
wildlife conservation
url https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/10.1080/01652176.2024.2302027
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