Epizootological Survey and Identification of Helminth Fauna in Golden Jackals (Canis aureus) from Southern Kazakhstan

TL;DR

This study identifies intestinal parasites in golden jackals in Kazakhstan, showing their role in spreading worms that can infect livestock and humans.

Contribution

The study provides new molecular and epizootological data on helminths in golden jackals from southern Kazakhstan.

Findings

Five helminth species were identified, including zoonotic nematodes and taeniid cestodes.

46% of examined jackals were infected with at least one helminth species.

Molecular analysis confirmed species-level identification and clustering with reference sequences.

Abstract

The golden jackal is a widely distributed wild carnivore that is rapidly increasing in southern Kazakhstan and often lives near livestock and human settlements. In this study, we examined golden jackals for intestinal parasites and identified several worm species that can infect animals and, in some cases, humans. The results indicate that jackals can play an important role in maintaining the life cycles of these parasites and may contribute to their spread in natural and agricultural environments. Understanding parasite infections in jackals is important for assessing potential risks to livestock production and public health.

The golden jackal (Canis aureus) is a highly adaptable wild carnivore whose expanding range in Kazakhstan increases contact with livestock, wildlife, and human-modified environments. Despite its potential epidemiological importance, data on helminth infections in jackals from southern Kazakhstan remain limited. In this study, 13 golden jackals collected from four regions of southern Kazakhstan were examined by necropsy of internal organs and coprological analysis. Helminths were identified using morphological methods and molecular genetic analysis of mitochondrial (cox1) and ribosomal (NC13/NC2) markers. Five helminth species were detected, including the nematodes Toxascaris leonina and Toxocara canis, and the cestodes Taenia multiceps, Taenia krabbei, and Mesocestoides sp. Molecular phylogenetic analyses confirmed species-level identification of nematodes and cestodes and showed clear clustering with reference sequences. Overall, 46% of examined jackals were infected with at least one helminth species. The presence of taeniid cestodes and zoonotic nematodes highlights the role of golden jackals as definitive hosts in parasite transmission cycles involving wildlife, livestock, and humans. These findings provide new molecular and epizootological data on helminths of golden jackals in southern Kazakhstan and contribute to understanding their epidemiological significance.

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