The parasites of the badger (Meles meles) in the north of Mugello (Florence, Italy)

Parassitologia. 1999 Dec;41(4):533-6.

Abstract

During the period January 1993-June 1994, a parasitological survey was carried out on 19 badgers (Meles meles) road killed in Northern Mugello (Florence). The following helminths (together with their prevalence) were isolated and classified: Uncinaria criniformis (84.2%); Capillaria sp. (31.6%); Molineus patens (21.1%); Mesocestoides melesi (21.1%); Aelurostrongylus falciformis (52.6%); Crenosoma melesi (21.1%). According to results, only sex related differences in prevalence were studied. The parasite biocenosis is composed exclusively by dominant and codominant species. Mesocestoides melesi represents the first record for Italy. All the species found fitted a negative binomial distribution.

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Carnivora / parasitology*
  • Female
  • Helminths / isolation & purification
  • Host-Parasite Interactions
  • Italy
  • Male