Comparative survey of gastrointestinal parasites in sympatric Iberian ibex (Capra pyrenaica) and domestic goats using molecular host specific identification.

ABSTRACT

An isolated population of several hundred Iberian ibex (Capra pyrenaica) inhabits the Gerês-Xurés Transboundary Biosphere Reserve (GXTBR) in north-western Iberian Peninsula, in partial sympatry with tens of thousands domestic goats (Capra hircus). This study aimed to assess the prevalence and shedding intensity of gastrointestinal parasites from sympatric herds of domestic goat and Iberian ibex in autumn 2018. A total of 93 pooled faecal samples were collected from GXTBR (39 from domestic goats and 54 from Iberian ibex) and the host species was identified using molecular techniques, whenever defecation was not visualised in the field. Parasitological analysis was achieved by joint Willis flotation/sedimentation, McMaster and Mini-FLOTAC techniques. Seventy-two samples (25 domestic goats and 47 Iberian ibex) were retained for analysis after discarding the least fresh and those with uncertain specific identification. Generalized linear mixed models compared prevalence and shedding intensity between caprine species. Domestic goats showed a non-significant tendency to be more parasitized than Iberian ibex, as assessed by overall prevalence (100.0%, CI95 86.7-100.0 vs. 74.5%, CI95 69.5-84.8), and shedding intensity. This study reveals a similar community of gastrointestinal parasites in an abundant livestock species and an isolated population of wild caprine, living in partial sympatry. It is the first study on the health status of this endangered Iberian ibex population, in close contact with livestock, highlighting the need for further sanitary surveillance.