Sarcocysts of Sarcocystis sp. were found in the striated muscles from 11 of 14 wild Florida panthers (Felis concolor coryi) and four of four cougars (two wild F. concolor stanleyana and two captive F. concolor of undetermined subspecies). The common occurrence of sarcocysts in muscles of top carnivores such panthers and cougars is unexplained. This stage of the life cycle is normally confined to the muscles of the prey species. Because large felids are rarely preyed upon, it is unlikely that a species of Sarcocystis has evolved using large cats as intermediate hosts. Therefore, the presence of these sarcocysts might be an indication of immune compromise in these felids, enabling the atypical development of the sarcocysts.
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1 October 1989
Sarcocystis sp. in Muscles of Free-ranging Florida Panthers and Cougars (Felis concolor)
Ellis C. Greiner,
Melody E. Roelke,
Carter T. Atkinson,
J. P. Dubey,
Scott D. Wright

Journal of Wildlife Diseases
Vol. 25 • No. 4
October 1989
Vol. 25 • No. 4
October 1989
cougars
feline immunodeficiency virus
feline panleucopenia virus
Felis concolor
free-ranging
immunosuppression
muscle