Helminth fauna of the nine-banded armadillo (Dasypus novemcinctus) in north-central Florida

J Parasitol. 2008 Apr;94(2):565-6. doi: 10.1645/ge-1346.1.

Abstract

The gastrointestinal tracts of 32 free-ranging, 9-banded armadillos (Dasypus novemcinctus) from north-central Florida were examined for the presence of helminths during July 1991 to November 1993. Aspidodera sp. (Nematoda: Aspidoderidae), most closely resembling Aspidodera sogandaresi, were recovered from 20 of 32 armadillos examined. Total numbers of A. sogandaresi ranged from 1 to 1,021 per infected animal, and followed an inverse correlation to body condition index for those animals. The cystacanth stage of 1 acanthocephalan, Macracanthorhynchus ingens, was present in 1 armadillo, and is the first report of M. ingens in the 9-banded armadillo. The present study contributes to the known natural history of the 9-banded armadillo, an important animal research model.

MeSH terms

  • Acanthocephala / isolation & purification
  • Animals
  • Armadillos / parasitology*
  • Ascaridida / isolation & purification
  • Ascaridida Infections / epidemiology
  • Ascaridida Infections / parasitology
  • Ascaridida Infections / veterinary
  • Female
  • Florida / epidemiology
  • Helminthiasis, Animal / epidemiology
  • Helminthiasis, Animal / parasitology*
  • Intestinal Diseases, Parasitic / epidemiology
  • Intestinal Diseases, Parasitic / parasitology
  • Intestinal Diseases, Parasitic / veterinary*
  • Male