Gastrointestinal parasites of coyotes (Canis latrans) in the metropolitan area of Calgary, Alberta, Canada

Disease ecology is a relevant but relatively unexplored subject of research in urban coyotes (Canis latrans Say, 1823). In fact, this carnivore may play a role in the circulation of parasites that can have implications on the health of humans and domestic dogs, but can also be affected by pathogens transmitted from domestic reservoirs. To investigate the gastrointestinal parasites of urban coyotes in Calgary, Alberta, Canada, we analyzed 61 carcasses and 247 fecal samples collected within the metropolitan area, including city parks, in 2009-2010. We found nine parasite taxa: Toxascaris leonina (Linstow, 1902), Uncinaria stenocephala (Railliet, 1884), Ancylostoma caninum (Ercolani, 1859), Pterygodermatites affinis (Jagerskiold, 1904), Trichuris vulpis (Froelich, 1789), Echinococcus multilocularis Leuckart, 1863, Taenia crassiceps (Zeder, 1800), genus Giardia Kunstler, 1882, and genus Cystoisospora Frenkel, 1977. Factors related to coyote ecology, habitat characteristics, and dog management likely influence the community of coyote parasites in an urban environment, and need to be taken into account to assess the actual role of this carnivore in the maintenance of parasites in the city landscape. Further research is needed to assess the current risk for transmission of potentially zoonotic parasites (e.g., E. multilocularis, T. crassiceps, Giardia sp.) among coyotes, dogs, and humans.