Report of Physaloptera praepntialis (Von Linstow 1889, Nematoda) in mountain lion (Puma concolor, Linnonus 1771)

Abstract

We recovered five adult individuals and various eggs of the gastric parasite Physaloptera praeputialis in a wild mountain lion that was living in the Mapimi Biosphere Reserve in the state of Durango, Mexico. The adult nematodes were whitish-pink in color, between 25 and 34 mm in length and 0.8 mm in diameter with an extension of the cuticle similar to a prepuce on the anterior extreme of the body and a bilabiate head. All of these characteristics align with the description of the order Spirurida. The eggs were between 45 and 58 urn in length and 30-42 urn in width, which is consistent with the descriptions of Bowman. Although, it is possible to find pathological effects of these parasites in their hosts, the necropsy did not reveal any damage that would compromise the health of the puma. © Medwell Journals, 2010.