NEW PARASITE RECORDS FROM Kerodon rupestris (RODENTIA, CAVIIDAE) AN ENDEMIC SPECIES TO NORTHEASTERN BRAZIL

The present study aimed to identify endoparasites from faecal samples of Kerodon rupestris, an endemic rodent of the Brazilian semiarid region. Samples collected from 10 locations at the Parque Nacional Serra da Capivara, Piaui State, Brazil were analyzed. Each faecal samples was processed, rehydrated, homogenized, and processed by spontaneous sedimentation. Morphological and morphometric characteristics of gastrointestinal parasites were observed using light microscopy. A total of three taxa from helminth and protozoan parasites were found. The results demonstrated parasite remains in 6/10 localities, and a high occurrence of Trichuris cf. gracilis, in 5/10 localities. Egg morphometric data was compared with Thichuris spp. egg Brazilian rodents. Two new parasite records were identified in K. rupestris , a nematode, Helminthoxys sp. (Oxyuridae) and a possible coccidian. The findings are discussed with taxonomic and ecological literature of intestinal parasites from rodents. The role of K. rupestris as source of ecological information in the region is suggested.