Small islands as potential model ecosystems for parasitology: climatic influence on parasites of feral cats

Abstract

The influence of climate on parasite distribution has been demonstrated in different regions worldwide. Despite its small size, Gran Canaria (Canary Islands, Spain) constitutes a ‘biodiversity laboratory’ due to the huge climatic differences between municipalities. Feral cats may represent a threat to biodiversity due to their predatory behaviour. In addition, they may be a source of pathogens zoonotic to humans. To study the climatic/seasonal influence and prevalence of feral cat parasites throughout the island, a total of 290 stool samples from 29 feral cat colonies were analysed following standard concentration protocols (sodium chloride, formol-ether and zinc sulphate). In total, 13 feline parasitic taxa were found, with the most common species being Ancylostoma spp., which, together with Toxocara spp., Toxoplasma gondii and Giardia spp., are considered a concern for human health. Nematodes were the most common parasites in all areas. Nematodes and protozoans were significantly more prevalent in temperate mild (75.0% and 30.0%) than in dry desert areas (29.3% and 18.7%). In contrast, cestodes were significantly more prevalent in dry desert than in temperate mild areas (26.0% and 13.3%). Only protozoans exhibited statistically significant seasonal patterns, mostly in the wet season. Data reported in this study endorse the usage of small and diverse islands such as Gran Canaria to study the climatic influence on parasitic communities in wild/feral animals. Cat colonies require better management to reduce their threat to endemic wildlife, domestic animals and public health, being invasive species that harbour zoonotic parasites.

Prevalence and public health relevance of enteric parasites in domestic dogs and cats in the region of Madrid (Spain) with an emphasis on Giardia duodenalis and Cryptosporidium sp.

“…Among them, Toxocara infections were predominant both in our canine (5.2%) and feline (20.0%) populations. These figures were in agreement with those (dogs: 6−33%; cats: 11−35%) documented in previous epidemiological studies conducted in Spain (Conde Garcia et al., 1989; Marbella et al., 2022; Martínez‐Carrasco et al., 2007; Martínez‐Moreno et al., 2007; Millán and Casanova, 2009; Miró et al., 2004, 2007; Montoya et al., 2018; Regidor‐Cerrillo et al., 2020; Rodríguez‐Ponce et al., 2016; Sánchez‐Thevenet et al., 2019). On the other hand, infections by T. leonina were less common (<3%), and, in the case of hookworms, rare in dogs and absent in cats.…”

“…that mainly affect animals under 1 year of age (Barutzki & Schaper, 2013) and are more prevalent in breeding kennels than among household animals (Gothe & Reichler, 1990). Lower microscopy‐based prevalence rates of 1−16% have been previously reported in all‐age dogs from different populations and geographical areas in Spain (Causapé et al., 1996; Dado et al., 2012b; Marbella et al., 2022; Martínez‐Carrasco et al., 2007; Martínez‐Moreno et al., 2007; Miró et al., 2007; Regidor‐Cerrillo et al., 2020). Giardia duodenalis infection rates of 4.2% and 5% were found in sheltered and free‐roaming cats, respectively, in central Spain (Dado et al., 2012b; Montoya et al., 2018).…”

“…and C. rivolta(Dubey, 2018). Cystoisospora felis (9.3%) and Cystoisospora rivolta (1.7%) have been previously identified in feral cats in Canary Island, Spain(Marbella et al, 2022). Because dogs and cats harbour canine-and feline-adapted Cystoisospora species, their role as potential source of human infections (primarily infected by C. belli) is considered negligible.…”

Metastrongyloid Infection with Aelurostrongylus abstrusus, Troglostrongylus brevior, Oslerus rostratus and Angiostrongylus chabaudi in Feral Cats from the Canary Islands (Spain)

“…In the Canary Islands (Spain), an archipelago composed of eight islands and islets located close to the northwest side of Africa, the overall prevalence of lungworms reported in cats in the available studies ranged from 8.9 to 28.3% [ 29 , 30 , 31 , 32 ]. In these studies, the species A. abstrusus and O. rostratus were cited as infecting feral cats from Gran Canaria and domestic cats from Tenerife, respectively [ 29 , 30 , 31 , 32 ].…”

“…In the Canary Islands (Spain), an archipelago composed of eight islands and islets located close to the northwest side of Africa, the overall prevalence of lungworms reported in cats in the available studies ranged from 8.9 to 28.3% [ 29 , 30 , 31 , 32 ]. In these studies, the species A. abstrusus and O. rostratus were cited as infecting feral cats from Gran Canaria and domestic cats from Tenerife, respectively [ 29 , 30 , 31 , 32 ]. In light of these reports and considering the respiratory pathology that these parasites can produce, the aim of this study was to improve the current epidemiological knowledge on the distribution of feline lungworms in the Canary Islands.…”