A comparison of parasitic helminths and arthropods from two subspecies of fox squirrels (Sciurus niger) in Florida

The faunas of parasitic helminths and arthropods of 87 Sherman's fox squirrels (Sciurus niger shermani) and 32 Big Cypress fox squirrels (Sciurus niger avicennia) collected from Florida (USA) over a 6-yr period (1988 to 1993) were compared. One acanthocephalan, one cestode, nine nematodes, one flea, three sucking lice, three mites, one tick, and one dipteran larva were identified. Citellinema bifurcatum and Physaloptera massino were new records for Florida and Gongylonema pulchrum, Neotrombicula whartoni, and Eushoengastia diversa were new host records. Three core species of nematodes (distributed widely, highly host specific, and very prevalent) were identified from Sherman's fox squirrels. These included Strongyloides robustus, Heligmodendrium hassalli, and C. bifurcatum, which were higher in prevalence and intensity in Sherman's fox squirrels than in Big Cypress fox squirrels. One core species of cestode (Raillietina bakeri) was collected from 32% of Sherman's fox squirrels, but was not observed in Big Cypress fox squirrels. The number of species, prevalences, intensities, and abundances of parasites from Sherman's fox squirrels were greater than those from Big Cypress fox squirrels.