Endoparasites of capybaras (Hydrochoerus hydrochaeris) from anthropized and natural areas of Brazil

Abstract This study aimed to evaluate the occurrence of endoparasites in fecal samples of capybaras from anthropized areas in seven cities in the state of São Paulo, southeastern Brazil, and natural areas in two locations in the Pantanal biome. For the parasitological evaluation of samples, feces were subjected to centrifugal sedimentation in water-ether and centrifugal flotation in sucrose solution. Out of the 113 samples examined, 97.3% (110/113) were positive for the presence of helminth eggs and/or protozoan oocysts, with 96.7% (89/92) and 100% (21/21) in capybaras from anthropized and natural areas, respectively. Helminth eggs belonging to the Class Cestoda (Monoecocestus spp.), Class Digenea, and Class Nematoda (Trichostrongyloidea, Strongyloides chapini, Protozoophaga obesa, and Capillaria hydrochoeri) were detected. Coccidia oocysts of Eimeria spp. and Cryptosporidium spp. were detected. The difference found was in the occurrence of S. chapini between anthropized and natural areas, as S. chapini was not detected in natural areas. Capybaras from anthropized areas showed a greater species richness of endoparasites, including species such as Fasciola hepatica and Cryptosporidium spp., that might have zoonotic potential.