Fifty-three kit foxes (Vulpes macrotis) were collected from 9 counties in New Mexico from 1996 to 1998 and examined for helminth parasites. Forty-seven (88.7%) were infected. The cestodes found included Dipylidium caninum in 15 (28.3%), Mesocestoides variabilis in 29 (54.7%), and Taenia multiceps in 1 (1.9%). The nematodes include Ancylostoma caninum in 2 (3.8%), Toxocara canis in 2 (3.8%), Toxocara cati in 1 (1.9%), Toxascaris leonina in 32 (60.4%), and Physaloptera rara in 31 (58.5%) foxes. This is the first report of these parasites in kit foxes from New Mexico. Taenia multiceps, Ancylostoma caninum, Toxocara canis, Toxocara cati, and P. rara are recorded for the first time in kit foxes.
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Comparative Parasitology
Vol. 81 • No. 1
January 2014
Vol. 81 • No. 1
January 2014
Ancylostoma caninum
Dipylidium caninum
Kit Fox
Mesocestoides variabilis
New Mexico
Physaloptera rara
Taenia multiceps