The aim of this study was to determine the presence of zoonotic gastrointestinal parasites by coprological examination in ferrets (Mustela putorius furo) reared as pets and the role of sex and age. The faeces of 30 ferrets were analysed, 16 [53.3%] from pet stores and 14 [46.7%] from homes in the city of Santiago and Concepción, Chile. Burrows’ coprological technique was used for the diagnosis, which allows detecting eggs of protozoan helminths, cysts and trophozoites Three samples (10%) tested positive for protozoa, one for Entamoeba coli, in a 6 month old male from a pet store, and two for Endolimax nana in a 3-month-old female and a 2-year-old male from private homes. This would be the first record for the two species of protozoa commensals in ferrets in Chile, which were probably acquired by the close contact of mustelids with humans.

El objetivo del estudio fue determinar la presencia de parásitos gastrointestinales zoonóticos mediante examen coproparasitológico en hurones (Mustela putorius furo) criados como mascotas y el rol de las variables sexo y edad. Se analizaron las heces de 30 hurones, 16 [53.3%] de tiendas de mascotas y 14 [46.7%] de hogares de la ciudad de Santiago y Concepción, Chile. Para el diagnóstico se utilizó la técnica coproparasitaria de Burrows, que permite detectar huevos de helmintos, quistes y trofozoítos de protozoos. Tres muestras (10%) resultaron positivas a protozoos, una a Entamoeba coli, en un macho de 6 meses de una tienda de mascotas, y dos a Endolimax nana en una hembra de 3 meses y un macho de 2 años, ambos de hogares. Este sería el primer registro para las dos especies de protozoos comensales en hurones en Chile, los que probablemente fueron adquiridos por el estrecho contacto de los mustélidos con los humanos.

Philodryas chamissonis, cobra de cauda comprida ("Culebra de cola larga"), é uma cobra diurna, predadora principalmente de lagartos do gênero Liolaemus, mas também de anfíbios, aves, roedores e coelhos jovens. Dromiciops gliroides (colocolo) é um marsupial arborícola endêmico das florestas temperadas do sul da América do Sul. Há pouca informação disponível sobre a biologia e a ecologia deste marsulpial. É reportada, neste estudo, a predação de um colocolo por uma fêmea adulta de P. chamissonis, em uma floresta mista de Nothofagus, composta principalmente por árvores N. dombeyi, N. glauca e N. alpina, na Reserva Nacional de Huemules de Niblinto, Nevados de Chillán, Chile. Uma vez que estas duas espécies possuem diferentes padrões de atividade e de uso de habitat, discute-se como este evento poder ter ocorrido. Embora este possa ter sido apenas um evento oportunístico, o achado fornece novas informações sobre os diferentes componentes da cadeia alimentar nos ecossistemas florestais do Chile.

Philodryas chamissonis, the Chilean long-tailed snake, is a diurnal predator mainly of Liolaemus lizards, but also of amphibians, birds, rodents and juvenile rabbits. Dromiciops gliroides (Colocolo opossum) is an arboreal marsupial endemic of temperate rainforest of southern South America. Little information is available about this marsupial's biology and ecology. Here we report the predation of one Colocolo opossum by an adult female P. chamissonis in a mixed Nothofagus forest, composed mainly by N. dombeyi, N. glauca and N. alpina trees, in the "Huemules de Niblinto" National Reserve, Nevados de Chillán, Chile. Since these two species have different activity and habitat use patterns, we discuss how this encounter may have occurred. Although it could just have been an opportunistic event, this finding provides insights into the different components of food chains in forest ecosystems of Chile.

Even though concentrations of most chemical elements in Antarctic ecosystems are very low as compared to other world's areas, their increasing time trends, as a consequence of the strong population growth and industrial development in countries of the Southern Hemisphere, could be affecting some vulnerable endemic species such as penguins. Concentrations (dry weight) of arsenic (As), cadmium (Cd), mercury (Hg) and lead (Pb) and porphyrins (copro-, uro- and proto-) were determined in feces of Gentoo penguins (Pygoscelis papua), collected at two locations of the Antarctic Peninsula (O'Higgins and Videla). We found higher (p< 0.05) levels of Hg in excreta of penguin colonies at O'Higgins (7.55 ± 1.28 μg g-1), whereas penguins at Videla showed the highest concentrations of Cd (1.68 ± 0.71 μg g-1). Gentoo penguins from O'Higgins site showed higher levels of copro- (1.81 ± 0.61 nmol g-1), uro- (1.74 ± 0.72 nmol g-1) and protoporphyrins (1.24 ± 0.46 nmol g-1), directly related to higher levels of Hg and Pb measured. These findings imply that some Gentoo penguin colonies of the Antarctic Peninsula are likely to develop some biochemical effects through trace metal contamination at some level. These preliminary results raise concerns about anthropogenic pollutants in Antarctica.

Aunque las concentraciones de la mayoría de los elementos químicos en la Antártica son bajas en comparación con otras áreas del planeta, éstas se han ido incrementando con el tiempo debido al gran crecimiento de la población y desarrollo industrial de los países del Hemisferio Sur, lo cual podría estar afectando a especies vulnerables como los pingüinos. Se determinaron las concentraciones (peso seco) de arsénico (As), cadmio (Cd), mercurio (Hg) y plomo (Pb) y porfirinas (copro-, uro- y proto-) en heces de colonias de pingüinos Papua (Pygoscelis papua), colectadas en dos lugares de la península Antártica (O'Higgins y Videla). Se encontraron mayores (P < 0,05) niveles de Hg (7,55 ± 1,28 μg g-1) en las heces de colonias de pingüinos en O'Higgins, mientras que las colonias de pingüinos en Videla exhibieron mayores concentraciones de Cd (1,68 ± 0,71 μg g-1). Los pingüinos Papua de O'Higgins mostraron mayores (P < 0,05) niveles de copro- (1,81 ± 0,61 nmol g-1), uro- (1,74 ± 0,72 nmol g-1) y protoporfirinas (1,24 ± 0,46 nmol g-1), en directa relación con los mayores niveles de Hg y Pb medidos. Esto podría implicar que algunas colonias de pingüinos Papua de la península Antártica están propensas a desarrollar algunos efectos bioquímicos asociados a contaminación por metales traza. Estos resultados preliminares levantan inquietantes interrogantes acerca de la contaminación de origen antropogénico que estaría afectando áreas tan remotas como la Antártica.

In spite of its importance, the helminthic fauna from psittacine birds has been poorly investigated in Chile. The occurrence of Tetrameres sp. is reported in Cyanoramphus novaezelandiae, a Schistorophus sp. in Platycercus flaveolus, and Dispharynx nasuta in P. flaveolus, Platycercus eximius, Platycercus elegans, Polytelis alexandrae, and C. novaezelandiae located in different aviaries of the Metropolitan Region of Chile. The first cases of Ascaridia platyceri in P. eximius and C. novaezelandiae are also described. Ascaridia platyceri and D. nasuta were implicated as the cause of serious and fatal disease in these exotic psittacine birds while, other organisms such as the Schistorophus sp. and Tetrameres sp. were clinically less significant.

A pesar de su importancia, la fauna helmíntica de aves psitácidas ha sido poco investigada en Chile. En el presente estudio se reporta la presencia de Tetrameres sp. en Cyanoramphus novaezelandiae, de Schistorophus sp. en Platycercus flaveolus y de Dispharynx nasuta en P. flaveolus, Platycercus eximius, Platycercus elegans, Polytelis alexandrae, y C. novaezelandiae en diferentes aviarios de la Región Metropolitana de Chile. Los primeros casos de Ascaridia platyceri en P. eximius y C. novaezelandiae son también descritos. Ascaridia platyceri y D. nasuta fueron implicados como la causa de enfermedades serias y fatales en estas aves psitácidas exóticas, mientras que Schistorophus sp. y Tetrameres sp. fueron clínicamente menos significativos.

A total of 189 faecal samples of the critically endangered Darwin's fox (Pseudalopex fulvipes [Martin, 1837]), from different areas within Chiloé Island in southern Chile were examined for parasites eggs and oocysts using the sugar flotation technique. The results showed that 21.2% of the samples were positive to either one of nine helminthes and one protozoan. The parasites with the highest prevalence were an ascarid nematode and a Spirometra species of cestode. Other identified endoparasites include Capillaria sp., Toxocara canis, Toxascaris leonina, Filaroides osleri, ancylostomatid nematodes, Trichuris sp., Taenia sp., and Isospora sp. Parasite loads were higher during the winter and in areas having more domestic dogs. All these species and genera are reported for the fist time in the Darwin's fox.

Un total de 189 heces del zorro de Darwin (Pseudalopex fulvipes [Martin, 1837]) en peligro crítico de extinción, de diferentes localidades de la isla de Chiloé en el sur de Chile, se examinaron en busca de huevos de parásitos y oocitos usando la técnica de flotación en azúcar. Los resultados mostraron que el 21,2% de las muestras fue positivo a nueve helmintos y/o a un protozoo. Los parásitos con la mayor prevalencia fueron nematodos del orden Ascaridida y un cestodo Spirometra. Otros endoparásitos identificados incluyeron Capillaria sp., Toxocara canis, Toxascaris leonina, Filaroides osleri, nematodos ancylostomatidos, Trichuris sp., Taenia sp., e Isospora sp. Las cargas parasitarias fueron mayores durante el invierno y en áreas con más perros domésticos. Todas estas especies y géneros son reportados por primera vez en el zorro de Darwin.

Descreve-se o primeiro caso de paratuberculose em veado pudu-do-sul (Pudu pudu). O animal foi encontrado na cidade de Concepción, centro sul do Chile, em péssimas condições e com sinais claros de diarréia. Internamente apresentava séria atrofia de gordura no coração, lesões histológicas nos pulmões, fígado, baço e rins, e injúrias intestinais. Diferentes amostras foram preparadas com Ziehl-Neelsen, e os linfonodos mesentéricos presentes no íleo foram fortemente positivos para a bactéria resistente ao ácido.

A total of 1,177 lice of four species were collected from 124 kelp gulls (Larus dominicanus) and 137 lice of the same four species from 60 Franklin's gulls (Larus pipixcan). The louse Saemundssonia lari (O Fabricius) (Phthiraptera: Philopteridae) was the most numerous on both gull species, with infestation rates of 4.9 on kelp gulls and 1.8 on Franklin's gulls. The second most abundant louse was Quadraceps punctatus (Burmeister), with a high infestation rate but low prevalence on kelp gulls; those parameters were much lower among lice from Franklin's gulls. The composition and community structure of the lice were similar on both host species, but not their infestation rates. In addition, the feather mite Zachvatkinia larica Mironov (Acari: Avenzoariidae) is recorded from kelp gulls and Franklin's gulls for the first time, while the gamasid mite Larinyssus sp. is recorded from kelp gulls, also for the first time. The population parameters of all species of ectoparasites are discussed.

The objective of this study was to confirm and update previous records of Phthiraptera in domestic and ornamental birds of Chile, through the examination of the plumage of the birds. The presence of Menopon gallinae, Goniodes gigas, Goniocotes gallinae and Menacanthus stramineus species on the domestic fowl Gallus gallus domesticus was confirmed, and the Menacanthus pallidulus is reported for the first time in Chile. In ornamental birds, seven species of lice were reported for the first time in Chile: M. stramineus in wild Turkey (Meleagris gallopavo), Goniodes pavonis and Amrysidea minuta in the Indian Peafowl, Goniocotes chrysocephalus and Oxylipeurus colchicus in the Common Pheasant (Phasianus colchicus), and Anaticola anseris and Trinoton anserinum in the Greylag Goose (Anser anser).

Por medio del examen del plumaje de aves domésticas y ornamentales en Chile se reconfirma la presencia de los phthiraptera Menopon gallinae, Goniodes gigas, Goniocotes gallinae y Menacanthus stramineus en la gallina doméstica, Gallus gallus domesticus y se registra además por primera vez en el país la especie Menacanthus pallidulus. En aves ornamentales se registran en pavo, Meleagris gallipavo, la especie M. stramineus, en pavo real, Pavo cristatus las especies Goniodes pavonis y Amrysidea minuta, en faisán común Phasianus colchicus las especies Goniocotes chrysocephalus y Oxylipeurus colchicus y en ganso doméstico Anser anser las especies Anaticola anseris y Trinoton anserinum. Los siete registros realizados en aves ornamentales representan nuevos reportes para Chile.

Two new species of the genus Brueelia Kéler, 1936 are described of two species in the genus Phrygilus Cabanis, 1844 from Punitaqui, Coquimbo, IV Región, Chile: Phrygilus gayi (Gervais, 1834) and P. fruticeti (Kittlitz, 1833). Descriptions were made in a comparative form, adding comments on their relatives, as well as an account of all Brueelia species known to infest South American Emberizine finches.

Dos nuevas especies del género Brueelia Kéler, 1936 son descritas en dos especies de aves del género Phrygilus Cabanis, 1844 desde Punitaqui, Coquimbo, IV Región, Chile: Phrygilus gayi (Gervais, 1834) y P. fruticeti (Kittlitz, 1833). Las descripciones son hechas en forma comparativa agregando comentarios sobre sus especies afines, así como consideraciones de las especies conocidas de Brueelia que infestan fringílidos sudamericanos.

The parasitological fauna of 40 dogs was studied in San Juan Bautista, Robinson Crusoe Island, Chile. 50% (n = 20) of the dogs had eggs of the Ancylostomid, Strongylid type and/or the oocysts of Isospora sp. and Cystoisospora canis. No positive samples of cestodes were found. 100% of the dogs were parasited by the fleas Ctenocephalides canis, C. felis and/or Pulex irritans. One brown dog tick, Rhipicephalus sanguineus, was found in one dog (2.5%). The importance of these findings is discussed.

Se estudió la fauna parasitaria de 40 perros en el poblado de San Juan Bautista, Isla Robinson Crusoe, Chile. El 50% (n = 20) de los perros presentó huevos de tipo Ancylostomideos, Strongyloideos y/o de especies Isospora sp. y Cystoisospora canis. No se encontraron muestras positivas a cestodos. El 100% de los perros presentó alguno de los siphonapteros Ctenocephalides canis, C. felis y/o Pulex irritans. En un perro se aisló un ejemplar de la garrapata café del perro Rhipicephalus sanguineus (2,5%). Se discute la importancia de los presentes resultados.

No Zoológico Nacional do Parque Metropolitano de Santiago, Chile, foram encontrados dois psitacídeos Enicognathus leptorhynchus, mortos pelo nematódeo Ascaridia hermaphrodita (Froelich, 1789). Este é o primeiro registro desse nematódeo em E. leptorhynchus e também o primeiro registro deste parasito no Chile.

For the first time in Chile, the presence of Microthoracius mazzai (Werneck 1932) and Bovicola breviceps (Rudow 1866), are reported, and the presence of M. praelongiceps (Neuman 1909) parasiting alpacas in the General Lagos area (I Region) is also confirmed. The importance of this situation is discussed in the present report.

Se cita a Microthoracius mazzai (Werneck 1932) y Bovicola breviceps (Rudow 1866) por primera vez en Chile, y se confirma la presencia de M. praelongiceps (Neumann 1909) parasitando alpacas en la comuna de General Lagos (I Región), Chile. Se discute la importancia de los presentes registros.

For the first time in Chile, cases of nymphs of the brown dog tick (Rhipicephalus sanguineus) being found on two goats (Capra hircus), and adult (one male and a gravid female) white stripped ticks (Amblyomma tigrinum) being found on cattle (Bos taurus) have been reported. The aim of this review is to discuss the importance of these findings.

Se registran, por primera vez en Chile, ninfas de garrapata café del perro (Rhipicephalus sanguineus) parasitando dos ejemplares de cabras (Capra hircus) y adultos (un macho y una hembra gravida) de la garrapata de listas blancas (Amblyomma tigrinum) parasitando a un bovino (Bos taurus). La importancia de los presentes reportes, hechos en la provincia de Ñuble, son discutidos.

The presence of the Phthiraptera species Linognathus setosus (von Olfers 1816) and‘Heterodoxus spiniger (Enderlein 1909) on the domestic dog Canis familiaris, and Linognathus africanus (Kellog and Paine 1911) on Capra hircus are described in the province of Ñuble, 8th Region of Chile. The description of Heterodoxus longitarsus (Paiget 1880), and the presence of L. africanus in Chile is discussed.

Se cita para las especies domésticas Canis familiaris los Phthiraptera Linognathus setosus (von Olfers 1816) y Heterodoxus spiniger (Enderlein 1909), y para Capra hircus a Linognathus africanus Kellogg & Paine (Kellog and Paine 1911) provenientes de la provincia de Ñuble, VIII Región. Se discute la descripción de Heterodoxus longitarsus (Piaget 1880) hecha anteriormente en Chile y también la presencia de L. africanus en Chile.