搜索结果：International journal for parasitology. Parasites and wildlife

The mountain pygmy-possum (Burramys parvus Broom, 1896) is a critically endangered marsupial, native to alpine-subalpine regions of Australia. Little research has been conducted on their health, including no formal parasite surveys. Parasite dynamics can reflect host and ecosystem health, acting as sensitive indicators of changing environmental, social, intra- and inter-species interactions and can contribute directly to host species knowledge. Reports of parasites affecting B. parvus are limited, with most from incidental observations. This study sampled ticks and fleas from B. parvus at eight sites in Kosciuszko National Park, New South Wales, Australia. A combination of morphological and molecular techniques was used to identify specimens, and screen for Rickettsia and Bartonella. The ticks were identified as Ixodes tasmani Neumann, 1899 and Ixodes sp. cf. tasmani Neumann, 1899. Ixodes heathi Kwak, 2018 was not found. The ticks that underwent molecular identification based on partial cox1 belonged to I. tasmani group within two distinct phylogenetic clusters. New mitogenomic reference sequences for two tick taxa and four flea species were obtained. Fleas were identified morphologically as Acanthopsylla rothschildi (Rainbow, 1905), Acanthopsylla scintilla (Rothschild, 1936), Pygiopsylla hoplia Jordan and Rothschild, 1922 and Stephanocircus simsoni Rothschild, 1905. Molecular screening found no evidence of Bartonella, one positive flea for Rickettsia, and a single suspect (late amplification) for Rickettsia. Statistically, greater B. parvus body weight was associated with decreased odds of tick presence and load, and male B. parvus had higher odds of flea presence. This study provides a systematic, standardised and formal survey of ticks and fleas of B. parvus in New South Wales, Australia, and establishes a baseline for future investigations into the impact of ectoparasites on the welfare of this critically endangered marsupial, supporting improved conservation measures across its restricted distribution.

Parasitic infections in zoo carnivores pose risks to animal health and zoonotic transmission. Over a 15-year period, endoparasites were detected in faecal samples from Swiss zoo carnivores, with clinical and management data used to identify factors linked to parasite occurrence. The samples, originating from 50 species kept in 30 different institutions, were collected in 2009 (n = 140), 2018 (n = 149) and 2024 (n = 116), and analysed by Baermann-Wetzel technique, combined sedimentation/flotation, Giardia coproantigen detection and Ziehl-Neelsen staining of faecal smears. Fifteen samples were further analysed by biomolecular methods. Odds ratios and 95 % confidence intervals (OR, 95 % CI) were calculated to compare management strategies and assess potential risk factors. Overall, 198/405 (48.9 %) of the samples tested positive. The most frequent parasites were ascarids (n = 73), followed by Capillaria spp. (n = 66), Cystoisospora spp. (n = 50) and Cryptosporidium (n = 43). Most animals were asymptomatic. Among the animals with clinical observations available, diarrhoea was recorded in ten, respiratory signs in two and reduced body condition in four individuals. Of these, intestinal (e.g., ascarids, hookworms, Cystoisospora sp., Cryptosporidium sp.) or respiratory (e.g., Angiostrongylus vasorum, Capillaria boehmi) parasites were identified in seven animals. Hunting mice, birds, rodents or eating snails was significantly associated with positive findings (OR: 2.3, 95 % CI: 1.0-5.0, p = 0.04), whereas on-site slaughter of food animals appeared protective (OR: 0.5, 0.2-1.1, p = 0.09). Zoonotic parasites such as Strongyloides sp. (n = 3) and Baylisascaris sp. (n = 3) were rarely detected. Animals from institutions that did not apply any parasitological management measures (deworming and/or faecal examinations) were more likely to be positive for helminths compared to those from zoos applying such measures (OR: 3.4, 95 % CI: 1.1-10.3, p = 0.03). Although often subclinical, some parasites-especially respiratory helminths-can affect animal health, and stress or anaesthesia may exacerbate diseases in valuable individuals. Targeted, diagnosis-based deworming reduces anthelmintic use, and consequently the risk of resistance and the likelihood of adverse effects.

Small mammals are prominent hosts for ticks that transmit various infectious diseases to humans and other animals. Despite the widespread presence of ticks and small mammals worldwide and the fact that climate change is a global phenomenon, tick-small mammal relationships and the potential expansion of southern tick species have been investigated only in limited regions. To understand the global risk of tick-borne diseases, examining tick-small mammal relationships in northern regions is essential. In Japan, several tick-borne diseases have emerged, and multiple studies have reported adult and nymphal stages of southern tick species in northern areas. However, whether these species have successfully established in the north can be determined only through the detection of larval stages. Therefore, we examined tick infestation in small mammals captured from forest and urban environments in Yamagata Prefecture, northern Japan. A total of 55 individuals representing seven species were captured across the forest and urban environments. The predominant small mammal in both environments was the large Japanese wood mouse (Apodemus speciosus). Ticks were recovered only from A. speciosus captured in the forest environment. Among the recovered ticks, 29 were Dermacentor bellulus larvae, 13 were D. bellulus nymphs, and 1 was an Ixodes ovatus nymph. These results provide the first verification of the establishment of the southern tick species D. bellulus in northern Japan, and indicate that A. speciosus serves as an immature host for D. bellulus in the forest environment. Future studies are required to clarify tick burden across seasons and years, as well as the potential effects of host traits.

Foodborne zoonoses affect nearly 10% of the global population each year, with parasitic disease making up a significant proportion of these infection. Meat-borne parasites of zoonotic relevance, including Trichinella spp., Sarcocystis spp., and Alaria alata, can be transmitted through pork and other meats, with trichinellosis remaining a significant public health concern despite effective control in domestic pigs. This study introduces a simple, rapid suspension-based method for detecting major meat-borne parasites in fresh and processed meat. The method is intended for rapid, field-applicable detection in research or monitoring where laboratory equipment is limited. Encapsulated Trichinella spp. larvae and Alaria spp. mesocercariae were obtained from naturally infected wild boar muscle and spiked into non-infected pork, minced meat, and sausages (five capsules and five larvae per 50 g; n = 15). Samples were blended with water, filtered, stained with Nile blue or neutral red, cleared with dilute acetic acid, and examined under a stereomicroscope. All spiked Trichinella and Alaria larvae were detected in the experimentally prepared samples under controlled spiking conditions. This corresponds to an experimental recovery level of five larvae per 50 g sample. These findings reflect observations obtained under laboratory conditions and do not represent formally validated diagnostic performance parameters. The method also visualised dead or calcified Trichinella capsules and Sarcocystis cysts within muscle fibres, demonstrating its applicability for detecting multiple parasites in muscle tissue. While not intended to replace official digestion tests, this low-cost method provides a practical tool for detecting multiple meat-borne parasites in fresh and processed tissues. It can enhance field diagnostics and research in resource-limited settings, supporting food safety surveillance, public health, and studies of parasite co-infections in wild or domestic animal populations.

The Chornobyl Exclusion Zone (ChEZ) is a unique area in the world. It combines two things: the largest man-made disaster site in the world and a radioecological observatory. The observatory has been studying the long-term impact of radioactive contamination on the environment, flora and fauna since 1986. Muridae and Cricetidae rodents being extremely widespread representatives of ChEZ fauna, serve as bioindicators for radioecological research. During 2019-2020, in addition to studying rodents as markers of radioactive contamination, 116 muroids were examined for the presence of parasites and bacteria. Among the rodents studied were bank voles Myodes glareolus from the Cricetidae family, as well as yellow-necked mice Apodemus (Sylvaemus) flavicollis and striped field mice Apodemus agrarius of the Muridae family. Microscopy of muroid rodent blood films revealed the presence of Trypanosoma spp., Hepatozoon spp. and bacterial agents. Molecular analyses led to the first identification of Trypanosoma grosi in A. agrarius in Ukraine. A Hepatozoon spp. SK3-type was found for the first time in A. flavicollis. Three different genotypes of Mollicutes were detected in A. agrarius and A. flavicollis. Bartonella spp. were present in most of the rodents tested. Zoonotic Bartonella grahamii was identified among six isolated genotypes of Bartonella. Co-infections with parasites and bacteria were found in some animals. According to microscopic studies, A. agrarius had the highest prevalence of Trypanosoma spp., whereas Hepatozoon spp. was highest in M. glareolus. Meanwhile, A. flavicollis harboured the greatest diversity of genotypes according to the sequencing results. Interestingly, a 41.7% prevalence of T. grosi and 33.3% of Mycoplasma-like bacteria was detected by PCR among animals from landfill II of the ChEZ, which was the least contaminated of the four experimental sites in the Exclusion Zone. Further research should be conducted to identify pathogens of viral origin and to study more genome loci of parasites in order to determine the impact of radioactive contamination that microorganisms may be exposed to.

We evaluated the effects of fipronil bait pellets on two cricetids that commonly occupy colonies of black-tailed prairie dogs (Cynomys ludovicianus; BTPDs): western deer mice (Peromyscus sonoriensis) and northern grasshopper mice (Onychomys leucogaster). In one experiment, bait pellets (0.96 mg fipronil/bait) were applied at 75 baits/ha to three 1.44-ha plots on a BTPD colony. Mouse abundance declined by 70% from before to 6-10 d after treatment. In a second experiment, bait pellets (0.46 or 1.52 mg fipronil/bait) were applied at 125 baits/ha to four plots (0.85-1.86 ha) on two BTPD colonies; two non-treated plots were baselines (1.09 and 2.06 ha). From before to 11-15 d after treatment, mouse abundance declined by 51%- 67% on the treated plots vs. a decline of 9% on the non-treated plots. Mouse survival from before to 11-15 d after treatment was 51% lower on the treated plots. In a third experiment, bait pellets (0.84 mg fipronil/bait) were applied at 125 baits/acre on two 1.44-ha plots on a BTPD colony; two 1.44-ha non-treated plots were baselines. Mouse survival from before to 30-44 d after treatment was 45% lower on the treated plots; the abundance of deer mice on the treated plots remained similar from before to 30-44 d after treatment, perhaps due to juvenile recruitment and/or immigration. In a laboratory experiment, 33 deer mice offered one bait pellet (0.86 mg fipronil/bait) consumed 27% of their bait, on average (range = 0-100%). Over 3 d, deer mouse mortality was estimated at 53%; mortality increased with fipronil dose, which averaged 11 mg fipronil/kg body mass (range = 3-46 mg/kg). Brain samples were available from 31 deer mice; all tested positive for fipronil sulfone, the primary mammalian metabolite of fipronil, at 19 to 61,205 ng fipronil sulfone/g. Additional experiments could determine if these findings scale up to larger landscapes.

The flea-borne agent of plague, Yersinia pestis, is lethal to endangered black-footed ferrets (Mustela nigripes, BFFs) and the prairie dogs (Cynomys spp., PDs) on which BFFs depend for habitat and prey. We developed bait pellets containing insecticides for flea control with PDs. Individual baits contained 0.46, 0.91, 1.21, or 1.52 mg fipronil, 5.40 mg afoxolaner, 50.62 mg fluralaner, or 85.20 mg spinosad. From 2023 to 2025, we tested the baits with black-tailed PDs (C. ludovicianus, BTPDs), Gunnison's PDs (C. gunnisoni, GPDs), and Richardson's ground squirrels (Urocitellus richardsonii, RGSs). We sampled hosts 2810 times and detected 8825 fleas across 2 U.S. States, 1 Canadian Province, 6 sites, 9 PD colonies, and 41 sampling plots. Over ∼12 mo across 5 replicates in South Dakota, USA, bait pellets with 0.91 or 1.52 mg fipronil, applied at a rate of 125 baits/ha, were more effective in reducing the abundance of fleas on BTPDs than 0.46 mg fipronil or the 3 other active ingredients; on 2 South Dakota replicates with data from 24 mo posttreatment, the effects of fipronil pellets on flea abundance had waned after ∼24 mo. Similarly, over ∼12 mo on 2 replicates in Arizona, USA, pellets with 1.52 mg fipronil were more effective in reducing the abundance of fleas on GPDs than pellets with 0.46 mg fipronil; on 1 replicate with available data from ∼2 yr posttreatment, the effects of fipronil pellets had waned after ∼24 mo. Over ∼8-11 mo across 2 replicates in Saskatchewan, Canada, baits with 1.21 mg fipronil/pellet were more effective in suppressing the abundance of fleas on BTPDs and RGSs when applied at 250 pellets/ha than 62 pellets/ha; flea control had waned after ∼20-23 mo. When applied annually at 125-250/ha, baits with 0.84-1.52 mg fipronil (FipBits) provided an effective, efficient, and affordable tool for flea control on PD colonies.

Nematodes are common internal parasites of rodents but information on their diversity and abundance remains limited. This study aimed to document the nematode diversity associated with three sympatric rodent taxa: Rhabdomys spp., Micaelamys namaquensis, and Otomys unisulcatus distributed across the Fynbos, Succulent Karoo, and Nama-Karoo biomes of the Western Cape, South Africa. Rodents (n = 576) were trapped at 12 localities between 2023 and 2025. Fifteen morphologically distinguishable nematode species, representing 14 genera, were microscopically identified from the gastrointestinal tracts of the rodents. Syphacia was the only genus represented by two putatively host-specific species, supported by mtDNA COX1 sequencing. This genus was also the most prevalent and abundant within Rhabdomys spp. and M. namaquensis, which each harboured a total of ten nematode species. The genus Nematodirus was the most prevalent and abundant in O. unisulcatus, which harboured five species. Proportionally, the number of heteroxenous species was highest in M. namaquensis (50%), followed by Rhabdomys spp. (30%) and O. unisulcatus (20%). Monoxenous species were on average more widely distributed compared to heteroxenous species. No consistent biome pattern was observed for the individual nematode species, though heteroxenous species appeared to be more common in the xeric Nama-Karoo compared to the more mesic Fynbos biome. Overall, three new nematode-host associations were recorded for Rhabdomys spp. and for O. unisulcatus and five for M. namaquensis. New locality records are provided for five nematode species, and an undescribed species of the genus Gastronodus was discovered. This study highlights the largely unexplored nematode diversity associated with rodents in South Africa and underscores the importance of host identity and environmental context in shaping nematode diversity and distribution.

Thelazia callipaeda, commonly known as the oriental eyeworm, is a neglected parasitic nematode and an emerging zoonotic pathogen of increasing geographical concern in Japan. Although T. callipaeda infections have been reported in humans, companion animals, and wildlife, the recent epidemiological characteristics of this parasite in Japan have not yet been comprehensively reviewed. This study was conducted as a scoping review of the literature to describe the epidemiology of T. callipaeda infection in Japan, with a specific focus on cases involving humans and companion animals. These findings were integrated with a comprehensive synthesis of available data on wildlife reservoirs, vectors, and molecular characteristics, with particular attention to host-associated transmission cycles, geographic distribution, and existing knowledge gaps. A review of publications from 2000 to 2025 suggests that cases, previously concentrated in southwestern Japan, are expanding northward. Two transmission cycles appear to be established: a sylvatic cycle involving wildlife reservoirs in forested environments and an urban cycle maintained by synanthropic mammals. Molecular epidemiological studies indicate that Japanese isolates of T. callipaeda comprise three genetically distinct lineages that have thus far been detected exclusively within Japan, complementing reports of limited genetic diversity in Europe and North America. A critical unresolved issue concerns the ecology of Phortica spp., the vectors of T. callipaeda in Japan, particularly their seasonal dynamics and capacity to sustain transmission. Addressing these gaps through a One Health-based surveillance framework will be essential for accurately assessing the burden and control of this underestimated zoonosis.

Avian malaria parasites circulate globally among birds and their dipteran vectors, yet their diversity and transmission dynamics remain poorly characterised in sub-Saharan Africa. Here, we investigated haemosporidian infections in birds and mosquitoes across Botswana, where resident and migratory bird species interact with diverse vector communities. We screened 395 birds from 23 genera and 65 species and 1425 mosquitoes from eight genera and 28 species for Plasmodium, Haemoproteus and Leucocytozoon. We detected a high level of parasite diversity, identifying 40 lineages in birds, 31 in mosquitoes, including one lineage shared between the avian hosts and vectors. A total of 36 lineages were newly described. The detection of the African Plasmodium lineage MALNI02 in both birds and multiple mosquito taxa, provides the first evidence of its potential transmission pathway between avian hosts and vectors in Africa. Several cosmopolitan lineages previously known from Europe were detected in both resident and migratory birds and in mosquitoes. This suggests that migratory birds may help to spread these haemosporidian parasites across continents, and that African mosquito taxa can transmit them. It also indicates that infections previously detected in Europe can circulate among resident bird species in Africa. These findings support the idea of cross-transmission between resident and migratory bird species and highlight the importance of southern Africa in understanding avian malaria transmission across the African-Eurasian flyway.

Parasitism, particularly Crenosoma striatum infection, can cause significant morbidity and mortality in European hedgehogs (Erinaceus europaeus). Wet mount is a coprological technique, which despite its relatively low sensitivity, is widely used in practice to detect the presence of endoparasites. The aims of this study were to compare the sensitivities of three coprological techniques and to determine a sensitive, yet practical method that could improve the detection of C. striatum infections in rehabilitating hedgehogs. Faecal samples were collected during autumn from 56 hedgehogs, and each analysed by wet mount, Mini-FLOTAC and Midi Parasep&#xae; (A sedimentation by centrifugation technique) to identify C. striatum first stage larvae (L1), Capillaria spp. eggs and Brachylaemus erinacei eggs. Mini-FLOTAC (Se&#xa0;=&#xa0;98.0%) was significantly more sensitive than both wet mount (Se&#xa0;=&#xa0;66.7%) and Midi Parasep&#xae; (Se&#xa0;=&#xa0;58.8%) in detecting C. striatum L1 (p&#xa0;<&#xa0;0.001). Midi Parasep&#xae; detected more samples as positive for Capillaria spp. (47/53) and Brachylaemus erinacei eggs (6/53) than Mini-FLOTAC (39/53; 3/53) though is impractical for use in a wildlife rehabilitation setting. The risk of obtaining false negative results when attempting to detect C. striatum L1 and Capillaria spp. eggs in hedgehog faeces could be reduced by using Mini-FLOTAC as an alternative to or in conjunction with wet mount; demonstrating that Mini-FLOTAC is highly sensitive in detection of C. striatum L1 and that it could provide an improved basis for management of crenosomosis in practice.

Rodent species within the southern African genus Rhabdomys are ecologically flexible, exhibit opportunistic behaviour, and are adapted to a wide range of habitat types. They comprise four morphologically cryptic species that are, however, strictly confined to different vegetation types represented by distinct biomes. Descriptive ectoparasite data on the diversity of lice, fleas, mesostigmatic mites, and ticks are currently limited to Rhabdomys pumilio in the Fynbos biome, and narrative data on trombiculid mites are absent. To address these gaps in ectoparasitic knowledge, the present study was extended across a broader geographic scale and included R. pumilio from the Succulent Karoo biome, as well as R. intermedius occurring in the Nama-Karoo biome. The complete ectoparasite assemblage associated with 237 Rhabdomys individuals (171&#xa0;R. pumilio and 66&#xa0;R. intermedius) trapped at 12 localities during the spring-summer seasons of 2023 to 2025 yielded more than 10&#xa0;000 ectoparasite individuals representing five taxonomic groups: lice, fleas, mesostigmatic mites, trombiculid mites, and ticks. Overall, 46 ectoparasitic species were recorded, comprising one louse species, nine flea species, nine mesostigmatic mite species, five tick species, and 22 trombiculid mite species. Rhabdomys pumilio harboured 42 ectoparasite species across the Fynbos and Succulent Karoo biomes, while R. intermedius in the Nama-Karoo biome harboured 21 species. The study provides detailed data on the prevalence, and localization on the host body of 14 chigger species described as new in separate taxonomic papers or awaiting description. Additional contributions include 36 new locality records across ectoparasite taxa, 14 new host associations and 24 mtDNA COI barcodes for flea species, which complement morphological identifications. This study highlights that more extensive geographic sampling of rodent host species can substantially enhance our understanding of the true diversity of rodent ectoparasites in South Africa.

Changes in natural habitats affect the population density of small mammals, which in turn influences ectoparasite populations. This study explores how human-induced habitat modifications impact flea infestations of non-volant small mammals considering seasonal and agroecological variations. A cross-sectional study focused on two wildlife-human interfaces in the Iringa and Morogoro regions, Tanzania. Small mammals were captured using Sherman&#xae;, Havahart, and wire-cage live traps. Fleas were extracted from the animals' fur with a stiff brush and preserved in 70% alcohol. Flea identification was performed morphologically by using standard guidelines and confirmed by sequencing the mtDNA segment of the cox2 gene. Statistical analyses were performed using Zero-Inflated Negative Binomial (ZINB) and Generalized Linear Models (GLMs) to examine variations in flea infestations across different host species, habitat types, seasons, and agroecological zones. Species diversity of small mammals decreased with increasing habitat modification (bush&#xa0;>&#xa0;farm&#xa0;>&#xa0;peridomestic). The most common rat fleas (Xenopsylla cheopis, Xenopsylla brasiliensis), together with chicken flea (Echidnophaga gallinacea) and cat flea (Ctenocephalides felis), were identified. Flea infestation loads on small mammals increased along the habitat modification gradient (bush&#xa0;<&#xa0;farm&#xa0;<&#xa0;peridomestic). The highest prevalence and mean intensity of infestation were observed in Aethomys spp. at 38.5% (95% CI: 33.7- 43.7) and 2.95 (95% CI: 2.18 - 3.72, SE: 0.366), respectively. Despite Mastomys natalensis being the most abundant, they had a lower prevalence of flea infestation. Flea infestations were significantly higher during the rainy season than the dry season (p-value&#xa0;=&#xa0;0.003) and more prevalent in peridomestic habitats than others (p-value&#xa0;=&#xa0;0.014). Thus, habitat modification directly impacts flea infestation loads and small mammal species' diversity, potentially implicating zoonotic disease transmission. This highlights the urgent need for integrated wildlife conservation and public health management approaches in Tanzania.

[This corrects the article DOI: 10.1016/j.ijppaw.2025.101161.].

Bivalve mollusks belong to a class of invertebrates that are cosmopolitan and globally traded. Therefore, this study aimed to investigate the occurrence and genetic assessment of Toxoplasma gondii, based on the SAG1 gene in bivalve mollusks from natural growing areas on Maranh&#xe3;o Island in northeastern Brazil. Oysters (Crassostrea sp.), mussels (Mytella sp.) and clams (Anomalocardia sp.) were collected from natural mangrove &#xe1;reas in S&#xe3;o Lu&#xed;s, Pa&#xe7;o do Lumiar, Raposa and S&#xe3;o Jos&#xe9; de Ribamar on Maranh&#xe3;o Island during the period of January to December 2022 (rainy and dry seasons). The samples were organized into pools of gills from 3 animals, their DNA was extracted and subjected to detection of T. gondii (SAG-1 gene), and the positive samples subjected to additional nested PCR for the markers APICO, BTUB, SAG3, 3' SAG2, 5' SAG2, Alt.SAG2 and GRA6 for genetic characterization. Sequences obtained were analyzed for phylogenetic reconstruction using the MEGA X program. Three mussel samples tested positive (3/60; 1.8%), all collected in the rainy season from Raposa and S&#xe3;o Jos&#xe9; de Ribamar. These samples were subjected to nested-PCR for other T. gondii markers; however, there was no amplification. BLASTn analysis confirmed 98 to 100% genetic similarity with T. gondii sequences. Although based on a single gene, which limits robust genotype inference, phylogenetic analysis of the SAG1 gene indicated clustering of the detected sequences with reference sequences related to classical genotypes. The current study provides an update on the molecular occurrence of the zoonotic protozoan T. gondii in an estuarine area of northeastern Brazil, and highlights the importance of research involving monitoring of shellfish harvesting areas, given their role in public health and food safety.

Wading birds may serve as ideal hosts for avian hemoparasites, as they are long-lived, undertake extensive movements, form dense breeding colonies, and inhabit water-associated environments that support vectors. Although previous studies have reported parasite species and prevalence in various wading bird species, little is known about their associations with bird behavior and life stage. To address this gap, we examined haemosporidian infections in two ecologically distinct species, white ibis (Eudocimus albus) and tricolored heron (Egretta tricolor), to explore differences in life stage and movement that may explain prevalence differences. We combined blood screening for hemoparasites with satellite tracking data describing birds' movement patterns. We screened 95 white ibis (67 juveniles and 28 adults or subadults) and 69 tricolored herons (45 juveniles and 24 adults). We detected a single Haemoproteus plataleae lineage in both species, with higher infection prevalence in white ibis (42.1&#xa0;%) than in tricolored herons (14.5&#xa0;%). Among white ibis, adults showed a higher prevalence (67.9&#xa0;%) than juveniles (31.3&#xa0;%), whereas in tricolored herons, adults had a prevalence of 8.3&#xa0;% and juveniles 17.8&#xa0;%. Non-breeding season movement data showed that white ibis used both freshwater and saline habitats across the southeastern United States, which may also serve as habitats for vectors. In contrast, tricolored herons remained mainly along coastal areas, using saline habitats in the southeastern United States and wintering sites in Central America, which may be less favorable for vectors. Overall, white ibis may serve as major reservoirs and sources of reinfection for H. plataleae, whereas tricolored herons may facilitate parasite dispersal between breeding colonies along the coasts of the southeastern United States and wintering areas in Central America. This study presents the first direct comparison of hemoparasite infections in two ecologically distinct wading birds and highlights movement data as key to explaining infection differences, providing a baseline for future studies.

Angiostrongylus dujardini is a heteroxenous metastrongyloid nematode that primarily inhabits the pulmonary arteries and the right heart of murid and cricetid rodents and uses gastropods as intermediate hosts. Although not considered highly pathogenic for rodents, this parasite has been reported to cause death in callitrichid monkeys, suricates and a psittaciform bird under human care. In contrast to rodents, shedding of first-stage larvae (L1) in the faeces has not been documented in these species; consequently, they have been regarded as accidental hosts. This study reports fatal A. dujardini infections in seven cotton-top tamarins (Saguinus oedipus) from a Swiss zoological garden between 2005 and 2024, and L1 shedding in one of the individuals. Five monkeys were found dead without prior clinical signs, while two showed weakness shortly before death. Gross pathological findings at necropsy included dark red pulmonary discoloration, lung nodules, intrathoracic effusion, right heart dilation and subepicardial haemorrhages. Histopathological examination revealed multifocal collection of thin-walled, embryonated nematode eggs at variable stages of development, along with fully developed larvae within the lumina of alveoli and pulmonary vessels, surrounded by granulomatous inflammation, consistent with granulomatous pneumonia and endarteritis in all cases. In the most recent fatal case, A. dujardini L1 were detected in the faeces, providing evidence that S. oedipus can act as a definitive host of this parasite, capable of environmental contamination. The diagnosis of A. dujardini infection was achieved by histopathological and molecular investigations of lung tissues and faecal larvae. This is the first report of A. dujardini infection with larval shedding in a non-human primate, confirming their role as potential definitive hosts, and underlining the need for heightened parasitological surveillance in captive primate populations.

Understanding and resolving trematode life cycles is increasingly recognised as an important objective in helminth research, as many species are known only from certain developmental stages or hosts. For the diverse but incompletely documented trematode fauna of southern Africa, life cycle data are particularly scarce. This study aimed to reconstruct trematode life cycles by investigating conspecific developmental stages in first intermediate snail and second intermediate fish hosts across South Africa and Zambia. Snails (Bulinus sp.) and fishes [Enteromius oraniensis (Barnard, 1943) and Clarias gariepinus (Burchell, 1822)] were collected between 2019 and 2025. Molecular sequencing (28S rDNA, ITS1-5.8S-ITS2, nad1 and cox1) confirmed conspecificity among developmental stages of two trematode taxa: previously published Petasiger sp. 5 (Echinostomatidae) and Tylodelphys sp. 2 (Diplostomidae). Cercariae and metacercariae of both lineages were morphologically examined and descriptions provided. For Petasiger sp. 5, life cycle reconstruction linked cercariae from Bulinus sp. with metacercariae infecting the gills of E. oraniensis, representing the first confirmed record of Petasiger sp. 5 metacercariae infecting cyprinids of the Smiliogastrinae in Africa. For Tylodelphys sp. 2, we provide the first record of its cercarial stage and identify Bulinus sp. as the first intermediate host, genetically linking it to metacercariae recorded from the cranial cavity of C. gariepinus. These findings underscore the value of molecular matching for life cycle reconstruction of digenean trematodes. By elucidating previously unknown developmental stages and host associations of Petasiger sp. 5 and Tylodelphys sp. 2, this study advances the understanding of trematode diversity and transmission in African freshwater ecosystems and provides essential data on first and second intermediate host stages for future species descriptions of these taxa.

Dioctophyme renale (Nematoda: Dioctophymidae) is a globally distributed monotypic nematode species of significant zoonotic relevance. This parasite infects a broad range of mammalian hosts, including wild and domestic carnivores, as well as humans. In Brazil, infections have been reported in both domestic and wild animals, although morphological and molecular data remain limited. This gap, combined with its zoonotic potential, highlights the need for further research. The present study provides an integrative taxonomic description of D. renale specimens recovered from mammals in the Brazilian Atlantic Forest biome, including 22 wild carnivores that were roadkill victims and one domestic dog. This highly urbanized biome is considered a conservation hotspot. A total of 68 nematodes were recovered from the maned wolf (Chrysocyon brachyurus), brown-nosed coati (Nasua nasua), lesser grison (Galictis cuja), and one domestic dog (Canis lupus familiaris). These wild species, affected by deforestation and roadkill, are increasingly exposed to humans and domestic dogs. Ultrastructural analyses revealed novel morphological features relevant to species diagnosis, including five cephalic papillae in the lateral field and distinctive details on the ventral surface of the copulatory bursa. Phylogenetic analyses based on the 18&#xa0;S rRNA gene placed D. renale into two well-supported clades differentiated by geographic region, whereas the mitochondrial COI marker grouped Brazilian samples within a South American clade alongside sequences from Argentina and Peru, suggesting genetic structuring driven by geography rather than host species. A more comprehensive understanding of this structuring will require broader sampling across hosts and localities. The novel morphological traits identified herein, together with molecular data, refine the species diagnosis and provide new insights into the phylogeny of D. renale, contributing to the understanding of genetic diversity within the genus.