HELMINTOS PARASITOS DE MOCÓS (Kerodon rupestris RODENTIA: CAVIIDAE) DE VIDA LIVRE E DE CATIVEIRO, NO SEMI-ÁRIDO NORDESTINO

This study shows the helminthic fauna of 16 rock cavies ( Kerodon rupestris ) from the semi-arid region in the State of Rio Grande do Norte, Brazil. Nine animals were captured from the wild and seven from a captive population located at the Centro de Multiplicacao de Animais Silvestres, city of Mossoro, were examined in this study. The animals were slaughtered, and post mortem analysis of the digestive tract, trachea, heart, lungs, liver, pancreas, and kidneys were done in search for the presence of parasites. Five species of nematode ( Paraspidodera uncinata, Trichostrongylus colubriformis, Trichuris gracilis, Trichuris muris , and Vianella lenti ) and one species of cestode ( Thysanotaenia congolensis ) were identified.