Innocent Until Proven Guilty: Systematic Review of the Effect of Livestock on South American Wild Canid Parasites.

ABSTRACT

PURPOSE: Livestock is regarded as a source of parasites to wildlife populations, but no assessment of the nature and magnitude of parasite transmission from livestock to South American canids is available. METHODS: Here we systematically reviewed articles that evaluate protozoa, helminths and arthropods in wild canids living in areas with and without the presence of livestock. RESULTS: There is an unbalanced study effort which precludes proper testing of the assumption that livestock increase the incidence and prevalence of parasites in wild canids. Most of the parasites reported are shared with domestic carnivores. CONCLUSION: Available information strongly suggests that the role played by livestock and their associated dogs on wild canid parasitism should be re-evaluated.