SURVEY OF HELMINTHS IN SMALL MAMMALS ALONG THE AQUEDUCT OF THE SÃO FRANCISCO RIVER IN THE CAATINGA BIOME

Abstract

The impact of the São Francisco River Transposition on the helminth community of small mammals is unknown so far, particularly the existence of helminths of zoonotic origin. Therefore, the aim of the present study was to report the helminth fauna of small mammals in areas along the aqueduct of the São Francisco River in the Caatinga biome. Twenty-one small mammals were collected among seven species: Thrichomys laurentius (10), Necromys lasiurus (5), Cerradomys langguthi (1), Galea spixii (1), Rattus rattus (1), Oligoryzomys stramineus (1) and Didelphis albiventris (2). Five helminth species were identified: Heligmostrongylus tchekaprovae, Heligmostrongylus interrogans, Stilestrongylus freitasi, Syphacia alata and Viannia viannia. Among these, four species had their geographical distribution map expanded with this study. There was no evidence of zoonotic helminths in any of the animals examined. Thus, the present study contributes to increase the knowledge of the helminth fauna in small mammals in the Caatinga biome.