First record of Dioctophyme renale (Goeze, 1782) in the pampas fox (Lycalopex gymnocercus, Fischer, 1814) (Carnivora: Canidae).

ABSTRACT

Dioctophyme renale (Goeze 1782) has not previously been reported in the pampas fox (Lycalopex gymnocercus) (Fisher 1814), the most abundant canid of southern South America. A wild adult pampas fox female was found dead due to unknown causes in Santa Fe province, Argentina. Post-mortem examination revealed three red worms measuring 10, 11 and 15 cm long, each with an approximate width of 5 mm. All of them were found free in the abdominal cavity. The worms were all male and were identified through morphological examination and molecular analysis as D. renale. No worm was found in the kidneys. This study reports the first case of dioctophymatosis in the pampas fox in Argentina, increasing the range of wild aberrant host species infected by the giant kidney worm in the Neotropical region.