Paragonimiasis is a parasitic disease that can be transmitted through the consumption of infected freshwater crabs by mammals including humans. Infective larval forms of the parasite has been found in crabs but not so much adults were found in humans. Therefore, I think that the other mammals in the vicinity of the freshwater crab distribution must be responsible for the continuation of the life cycle of Paragonimus westermani. However, I need to find out if the wild mammals near freshwater bodies are infected with the parasite by examining their stools for parasite eggs. How can I do this?
For free-ranging animals, its important to consider the density of the population. If you know the density of the population, you can calculate the probability that two samples come from the same individual if you collect 4, 5, or 6 samples per square kilometer.
You can check this link to know more about monitoring of wild carnivores and their parasites:
Chapter Noninvasive Sampling: Monitoring of Wild Carnivores and Thei...
Hi,
You need to check for mammals that use freshwater bodies in any way as a food source, even for drinking, as with drinking parasitized small crustaceans can be acquired. There are several works referring that wild boars are common hosts in certain regions, but most frequently carnivores. Usually faeces are near the water bodies, but try to find an identification guide for mammal faeces, as they can be a relying feature for species ID (in other words you need to review a bit on the biology of Paragonimus final hosts…). Otherwise, dissecting dead potential final hosts could be of interest. I would sample only the surrounding of water bodies were the presence of the snail intermediate host is verified to save time…
Regards,
Antonio
The most likely mammals to eat freshwater crabs would be otters, civets, possibly the stink badger, rodents, moon rats and shrews. Otter and civet faeces are easily recognizable in the field - look on-line or, better, get someone to show you. For rats, moonrats, and shrews, I would live-trap them them and collect faeces from the trap.
Other likely suspect are macaque monkeys, several species of which are known to forage in small streams and swamps for crabs and other invertebrates. Their feces are easily identified, but may disappear more rapidly than spraints of otters or scat of mongoose or civet.
Hey Aaron, back here at Brazil, crab-eating foxes (Cerdocyon thous) eat salt and fresh-water crabs, when habiting areas close to mangroves and lakes. We have been finding it quite commonly on a monitored population. We detect the crabs through their red shell present of foxes scats from different individuals. They forage and prey the crabs along the margins of lakes.
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