Broncho-pulmonary helminths of chamois (Rupicapra rupicapra parva) captured in north-west Spain: assessment from first stage larvae in faeces and lungs

The bronchopulmonary helminths of 66 chamois (49 males and 17 females), captured in various parts of the Cantabrian mountain range (N. W. Spain) in the autumn of 1983, and in the summer and the autumn of 1984, were studied. The animals were adult and aged between 2 and 16 years. The lungs, trachea and faeces from the last section of the intestine were taken from each animal individually. The trachea and pulmonary larval nodules were dissected. First stage larvae (L-I) were obtained from finely cut up pulmonary tissue and from faeces by migration. The number of larvae I per gram varied between 0.08 and 2,662 (x¯ = 151.5 ± 59.5 s. e.) in the faecal samples, and between 0.03 and 1,733 (x¯ = 65.2 ± 32.4 s. e.) in the pulmonary ones. There was a low correlation between the two sets of data. When taking into account age and sex, no statistically significant differences were observed in relation to the number of larvae/gram found either in faeces or in pulmonary tissue, while there were statistically significant differences when considering the periods of sampling and reserve of origin, in relation to the larvae found in faeces and lungs, respectively. Infections by three nematodes (Neostrongylus, Muellerius and Protostrongylus) were more common than those produced by two or one, in the lungs as well as in the faeces. The most common genus was Neostrongylus, followed by Muellerius, and no Cystocaulus or Dictyocaulus larvae were found. On a étudié les parasites bronchopulmonaires de 66 chamois (49 mâles et 17 femelles) capturés pendant l’automne de 1983, l’été et l’automne de 1984 dans plusieurs lieux de la Cordillère Cantabrique (nord-ouest d’Espagne). Les animaux étaient adultes et âgés de 2 à 16 ans. On a recueilli séparément poumons, trachée et fèces de la dernière partie de l’intestin de chacun des chamois. On a fait la dissection de la trachée et des nodules larvaires pulmonaires. On a obtenu, par migration, des larves du premier stade (L-I) du tissu pulmonaire divisé en morceaux et des fèces. Dans les prélèvements fécaux le nombre de larves I par gramme oscillent entre 0,08 et 2 662 (x¯ = 151,5 ± 59,5 s. e.) et dans les poumons entre 0,03 et 1 733 (x¯ = 65,2 ± 32,4 s. e.). Il y a une faible correlation entre les deux séries de résultats. On a tenu compte de l’âge et du sexe, sans observer des différences importantes par rapport au nombre de larves/gramme trouvées, tant dans les fèces que dans le tissu pulmonaire. Par contre, des différences existent selon l