Parasites and vector-borne pathogens of southern plains woodrats (Neotoma micropus) from southern Texas

Abstract

From 2008–2010, southern plains woodrats (Neotoma micropus) from southern Texas, were examined for parasites and selected pathogens. Eight helminth species were recovered from 97 woodrats including, Trichuris neotomae from 78 (prevalence=80%), Ascarops sp. from 42 (43%), Nematodirus neotoma from 31 (32%), Raillietina sp. from nine (9%), Taenia taeniaeformis larvae from eight (8%), and an unidentified spiurid, a Scaphiostomum sp. and a Zonorchis sp. each from a single woodrat. Besnotia neotomofelis was detected in three (3%) woodrats and microfilaria were detected in seven (7%). PCR testing of blood samples from 104 woodrats detected a novel Babesia sp. in one (1%) and Hepatozoon sp. in 17 (16%) woodrats. Partial 18S rRNA gene sequence of the Babesia was 94% similar to B. conradae. Histologic examination of tissues detected intestinal coccidia in 7 of 104 (7%), Sarcocystis neotomafelis in 26 (25%), Hepatozoon sp. in 21 (20%), and Dunnifilaria meningica in four (4%) woodrats. Three woodrats (5%) were seropositive for Toxoplasma gondii. Ectoparasites recovered included fleas (Orchopeas sexdentatus and O. neotomae), ticks (Ixodes woodi and Ornithodoros turicata), mites (Trombicula sp. and Ornithonyssus (Bdellonyssus) bacoti) and bot flies (Cuterebra sp.). The only difference in prevalence related to gender was for N. neotoma (males > females, p=0.029). Prevalence of T. neotomae and all intestinal parasites combined was significantly higher in adults compared with juveniles (p=0.0068 and p=0.0004), respectively. Lesions or clinical signs were associated with Cuterebra, T. gondii, and B. neotomofelis. Collectively, these data indicate that woodrats from southern Texas harbor several parasites of veterinary and/or medical importance.

Reappraisal of Hydatigera taeniaeformis (Batsch, 1786) (Cestoda: Taeniidae) sensu lato with description of Hydatigera kamiyai n. sp.

“…Further cryptic diversity might be hiding in the New World, because morphologically identified specimens of H. taeniaeformis s.l. have been reported in endemic Nearctic and Neotropical felids, closely related to the above-mentioned Old World cat lineages, as well as in endemic rodents (Abuladze, 1964;Jones and Pybus, 2001;Charles et al, 2012;Miño et al, 2012). In addition, extensive human-mediated introductions are obvious.…”

Natural history of Zoonotic Babesia: Role of wildlife reservoirs

“…from woodrats in Texas, B. lengau from cheetahs in Africa, and B. poelea and B. uriae from seabirds ( Fig. 1 ) ( Kjemtrup et al, 2000; Yabsley et al, 2005, 2006a, 2009; Conrad et al, 2006; Bosman et al, 2010; Charles et al, 2012 ). This group was also related to Babesia sp.…”

Biology and Diseases of Other Rodents

“…Wild-caught wood rats are infected with numerous ecto-and endoparasites, including ticks, fleas, and oocysts of host-specific Eimeria spp (Wheat and Ernst, 1974) (Charles et al, 2012;Durden et al, 1997;Lang, 1996;Marchiondo and Upton, 1987;Straneva and Gallati, 1980;Wheat and Ernst, 1974). Infection with the raccoon VII.…”