PARASITES OF SWIFT FOXES (VULPES VELOX) IN THE OKLAHOMA PANHANDLE

摘要

Parasites represent all element within natural systems that can elucidate interactions between their hosts and the environment. We collected and examined ectoparasites (80 samples) and fecal samples for endoparasites (81 samples) from 82 swift foxes (Vulpes velox) captured or collected in the Oklahoma Panhandle during summer and winter 2003-2004 and summer and autumn 2004. Six taxa of external parasites and nine taxa of internal parasites were identified. Overall prevalence of swift foxes infested with external parasites was 99% (range, 1-90% by individual parasite), which included flour species of fleas and two species of ticks. Overall prevalence of swift foxes infected with internal parasites was 68% (range, 4-35% by species of parasite), including six nematodes, one cestode, one protozoan, and one mile. We observed two new external parasites not previously recorded for swift foxes, Spilopsyllus inaequalis and Dermacentor variabilis. More males than females were infected with Toxocara. Our results were similar to previously published reports of Parasites from swift foxes in southeastern Colorado, northwestern Texas, eastern New Mexico, and the Oklahoma Panhandle, suggesting that this canid might be infected with it similar community of parasites across its range in the southwestern United States.