Parasites of the red fox (Vulpes vulpes Linnaeus, 1758) in Murcia, southeast Spain

Abstract

Fifty five red foxes were captured in Murcia province (Southeast Spain) and necropsied to evaluate parasitic infections. Fifteen helminth species were found, including five cestodes (Mesocestoides lineatus, Mesocestoides litteratus, Joyeuxiella pasqualei, Taenia pisiformis and Dipylidium caninum), nine nematodes (Pterygodermatites affinis, Toxocara canis, Trichuris vulpis, Toxascaris leonina, Oxynema crassispiculum, Eucoleus (Capillaria) aerophilus, Toxocara cati, Uncinaria stenocephala and Angiostrongylus, vasonum), and one acanthocephalan (Macracanthorhynchus catulinus). Coprological method revealed the presence of. Isospora spp. oocysts. Also, fleas and ticks were recovered from the carcasses, corresponding to Pulex irritans, Spilopsyllus cuniculi, Ctenocephalides felis felis, Rhipicephalus sanguineus, Ixodes ventalloi, and Ixodes ricinus. Both S. cuniculi and C. felis felis are first records in foxes in the Iberian Peninsula.