Browsing by Subject "Semi-arid Mediterranean environments"

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    Epidemiological factors of Eucoleus aerophilus infection in red foxes (Vulpes vulpes) from semi-arid Mediterranean environments
    (Elsevier, 2026-01-13) Martínez-Carrasco Pleite, Carlos; Ruiz de Ybáñez Carnero, María del Rocío; Catala-Barrasetas, Mireia; Pérez Cutillas, Pedro; Arcenillas Hernández, Irene; Sanidad Animal; Facultades de la UMU::Facultad de Veterinaria
    Eucoleus aerophilus is a ubiquitous zoonotic nematode found in the tracheobronchial mucosa of the definitive hosts, described in wild and domestic canids, including the red fox (Vulpes vulpes). To assess E. aerophilus occurrence and intensity in red foxes, the respiratory system of 126 foxes from Region of Murcia (SE, Spain) were examined. Statistical analyses were performed to investigate the influence of biotic and abiotic factors on the parasite´s occurrence. The occurrence of E. aerophilus was 28.6% (95% CI: 20.6-36.4), with a mean intensity of 3.1 nematodes per parasitised fox. The infection rate and parasite intensity were higher in forested areas, suggesting that earthworm abundance and a longer survival of infective E. aerophilus eggs increase the risk of transmission and maintenance in the environment. Moreover, an inverse relationship between E. aerophilus occurrence and temperature (p<0.05) was observed. Results demonstrated that foxes participate in maintaining the cycle of E. aerophilus in semi-arid Mediterranean environments. This should be taken into account at the wild-domestic-human interface. The development of a predictive model of E. aerophilus infection risk in red foxes will allow the design of future strategies for the prevention of capillariosis, especially in areas where contact between foxes, domestic carnivores, and humans exists.
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    Predictive factors for flea occurrence in red foxes (Vulpes vulpes) from semi-arid Mediterranean environments
    (Wiley, 2022-09-20) Pérez, R.; Pérez Cutillas, Pedro; Muñoz Hernández, Clara; Ruiz de Ybáñez Carnero, María del Rocío; Escribano, F.; Martínez Carrasco-Pleite, Carlos; Gonzálvez Juan, Moisés; Arcenillas Hernández, Irene; Sanidad Animal
    The role of red fox as host for a wide range of parasites, particularly fleas and other arthropods causing vector-borne diseases, in combination with its capability to adapt to anthropized environments, makes this wild canid an epidemiologically remarkable species at the wildlife–domestic–human interface, especially in the present time of rise of emerging and re-emerging diseases. This study evaluated the prevalence and parasite intensity of fleas in 88 foxes from Murcia Region (Southeastern Spain) and determined the geographic distribution of areas with the highest potential risk of flea presence. Pulex irritans, Ctenocephalides felis, Spilopsyllus cuniculi and Nosopsyllus fasciatus were identified. The overall prevalence was 76.13%. This is the first time that N. fasciatus has been reported in foxes from Murcia Region. The predictive model established a certain pattern to determine the areas with the highest risk of acquiring fleas. Positive correlation of daily potential evapotranspiration (ET0) in winter and the opposite effect occurring for ET0 in summer were obtained, as well as positive correlations for mean daily temperature (Tmean) in summer and mean precipitation (Pmean) in winter and summer. The model was also found positively correlated in the forest habitat ecotone areas and the anthropized areas