Endoparasites of marsupials in fragments of the Atlantic rainforest, western Paraná State, Brazil

Abstract

Knowledge of taxonomy and biodiversity of parasites is fundamental to better understand ecosystem dynamics. The objective of this study was to describe the helminth fauna of two species of marsupials in five fragments of the Atlantic rainforest in the western region of Paraná State, Brazil. In a total of 4050 trap-nights, the animals were captured using Sherman, Tomahawk, and Pitfall traps, euthanized, necropsied, and their organs inspected for helminths. After identification of the parasites, descriptors of infection, such as prevalence, mean abundance, mean intensity, and range of intensity, were calculated. Collectively, six helminth species were observed in 18 animals. The following five species were observed in Marmosa paraguayana: Viannaia hamata (58.8%), Gracilioxyuris agilisis (52.9%), Travassostrongylus sextus (17.6%), Oncicola luehei (5.9%), and Pritchardia boliviensis (5.9%). Whereas the following two species were observed in Monodelphis dimidiata: Trichohelix tuberculata (100%) and Travassostrongylus sextus (100%). This study represents a new locality record for all helminths described herein, and a new host for four helminth species. This is the first report on the helminth fauna of Monodelphis dimidiata, expanding knowledge about marsupials in the Brazilian Atlantic Forest.

Figure 1. Capture points of Marmosa paraguayana and Monodelphis dimidiata in the study area. The points are numbered from 1 to 5 (Circles) between Cascavel and Corbélia cities (Paraná state, Brazil). Grey area: Paraná state. Dark grey area: Western region of Paraná State. Red area: Cascavel municipality. Orange area: Corbélia municipality.

Figure 2. Morphological aspects of the helminths found in Marmosa paraguayana and Monodelphis dimidiata captured in five fragmented areas of the Atlantic rainforest in the western region of Paraná state, Brazil. A) Trichohelix tuberculata, posterior end of a male specimen. Scale bar: 50 µm; B) Viannaia hamata, posterior end of a male specimen. Scale bar: 50 µm; C) Travassostrongylus sextus, posterior end of a male specimen. Scale bar: 100 µm; D) T. sextus, copulatory bursa and dorsal ray. Scale bar: 50 µm; E) Gracilioxyuris agilisis. whole view of an adult male specimen. Scale: 200 µm; F) Gracilioxyuris agilisis, posterior end of a male specimen, showing the caudal papillae. Scale bar: 50 µm; G) Oncicola luehei. Whole view of an adult female specimen. Scale: 200 µm; H) Pritchardia boliviensis, scolex. Scale:100 µm.