Studies on intestinal helminthes infecting free-ranging red fox [vulpes vulpes] in north-western part of Libya

ABSTRACT

Eighteen free-ranging live red fox [Vulpes vulpes] captured during the period ringed from October 2007 to April 2008 from rural and semi-desert regions of North-Western part of Libya were investigated parasitologically for presenceof intestinal helminthes. The study revealed that 2 foxes [11.1%] were free from intestinal helminthes and 16 foxes [88.9%] were infected with helminth parasites species. These helminthes were four cestodes joyeuxiella echinorhynocoides 5[31 .25%], mesocestoides spp. 6[37.5%], diplopylidium nolleri 2[1 2.5%] and dipylidium caninum 1[6.25%].Three nematodes Rictularia caherrsis 3[1 8.7%], Ancylostomacaninum 3[18.7%] and Toxocara canis 2[12.S%].Only one acanthoeephala moniliformis dubius 4[25%]. No trematodes were found. All these helminthes were recovered and reported for the first time from red fox [Vulpes vulpes] in north-western part of Libya. Five helminthes of them has zoonotic important. Therefore, the study showed that the red fox [Vulpes vulpes] plays an important role in the investigated area as a reservoir host of a number of parasites of domesticated and wild animals or may have zoonotic importance. The results were discussed with reference to variations in the live behavior and diet in the rural areas of North-western part of Libya