Co-infection patterns in the ectoparasitic community affecting the Iberian ibex Capra pyrenaica.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Sarcoptic mange is one of the main parasitic diseases affecting the Iberian ibex Capra pyrenaica. Scabietic animals suffer a decline in body condition and reproductive fitness and in severe cases may die. Although several previous studies of the pathology of this disease and the physiological changes it produces in ibex have been carried out in recent years, our knowledge of the relationship between Sarcoptes scabiei and other ectoparasites of this host is still limited.

Methods

We analysed 430 Iberian ibex skin samples. Ectoparasites were removed, counted and identified. Mite (S. scabiei) numbers were obtained after digesting the skin samples in a 5% KOH solution. We modelled mite numbers in terms of host sex and age, site, year, season and the presence of other

SUBMITTER: Fernandez-Munoz MJ 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC10228096 | biostudies-literature | 2023 May

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature