Parasitic helminths of the wild rabbit, Oryctolagus cuniculus, in different bioclimatic zones in Tenerife, Canary Islands

Abstract

Faunistic and ecological analyses of the wild rabbit helminth fauna were undertaken in Tenerife island (Canary Islands). Rabbits were collected between 1998 and 2000 in seven bioclimatic zones in Tenerife selected by orientation and altitude. Five parasite species were identified, three cestodes (Taenia pisiformis (larvae), Andrya cuniculi and Mosgovoyia ctenoides) and two nematodes (Trichostrongylus retortaeformis and Passalurus ambiguus). Taenia pisiformis presented an irregular distribution with significant differences in prevalences between the zones. Andrya cuniculi was only found in two zones and there were no significant differences in prevalence values. Mosgovoyia ctenoides presented a wide distribution with significant prevalences, which were higher in northern compared to southern zones. Trichostrongylus retortaeformis was absent in the low southern zones of the island. Passalurus ambiguus was found in all zones with no significant difference in the prevalence of infection. The differences in prevalences are likely to be explained by abiotic factors in the case of T. retortaeformis, and by the absence of definitive and intermediate hosts in the case of T. pisiformis and A. cuniculi, respectively. All parasite species in Tenerife are common helminths in the Iberian Peninsula, from which their rabbit hosts originated. No significant differences were recorded in the mean intensities of infection of any of the parasite species identified.

Helminth fauna of wild rabbit Oryctolagus cuniculus in the Canary Islands, Spain

“…Second, the small size of La Graciosa and Alegranza, means lower surface and more biodiversity loss (Mas-Coma & Feliu, 1984, Mas-Coma et al, 2000, limiting species with life cycles dependent of the external environment (monoxenous geohelminth nematodes as T. retortaeformis, and platyhelminthes, as A. cuniculi and T. pisiformis). These two last species has been found with no homogenous distribution previously (Foronda et al, 2003a). It could be due to an irregular distribution of the intermediate hosts for A. cuniculi, and the adult forms in its definitive hosts for T. pisiformis (see Foronda et al, 2003a).…”

“…seasonal changes (Cabrera-Rodríguez, 2008) or epidemics such as rabbit hemorrhagic disease (RHD) and myxomatosis (Foronda et al, 2000(Foronda et al, , 2005. However, it has been demonstrated that rabbit populations are able of recover slower or quicker after a catastrophe (Villafuerte et al, 1995).…”

“…In the case of the Canary Islands, the introduced fauna exhibit marked European influences mostly from the Iberian Peninsula, where O. cuniculus is native (Juan et al, 2000). Similarly, species of coccidia and helminths that parasitize this animal have found optimal conditions for their establishment in the Archipelago (Foronda et al, 2000). The only available data on the occurrence of helminths in wild rabbits in the Canary Islands have been reported on Tenerife island (Foronda et al, 2000(Foronda et al, , 2003a(Foronda et al, , 2003b(Foronda et al, , 2005 and Alegranza islet (Foronda et al, 2003b).…”

“…Similarly, species of coccidia and helminths that parasitize this animal have found optimal conditions for their establishment in the Archipelago (Foronda et al, 2000). The only available data on the occurrence of helminths in wild rabbits in the Canary Islands have been reported on Tenerife island (Foronda et al, 2000(Foronda et al, , 2003a(Foronda et al, , 2003b(Foronda et al, , 2005 and Alegranza islet (Foronda et al, 2003b). So far, the species identified in Tenerife have been three cestodes: Taenia pisiformis (Bloch, 1780) larvae (Taeniidae), Andrya cuniculi (Blanchard, 1891) and Neoctenotaenia ctenoides (Railliet, 1890) (Anoplocephalidae); and two nematodes: Trichostrongylus retortaeformis (Zeder, 1800) (Trichostrongylidae) and Passalurus ambiguus (Rudolphi, 1819) (Oxyuridae); while in Alegranza only N. ctenoides and P. ambiguus have been found.…”

“…In the 15th century, the Canary Islands were conquered by the Spanish Empire and some species of small mammals, including the wild rabbit (Oryctolagus cuniculus) (Lagomorpha: Leporidae), were introduced (Foronda et al, 2003a). This species has colonized successfully most of the habitats of the main islands, achieving a stable population of individuals.…”