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1 January 2005 Survey of Raccoons on Key Largo, Florida, USA, for Baylisascaris procyonis
Robert A. McCleery, Garry W. Foster, Roel R. Lopez, Markus J. Peterson, Donald J. Forrester, Nova J. Silvy
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Abstract

Numbers of the endangered Key Largo woodrat (KLWR; Neotoma floridana smalli) have been declining for at least 25 yr. The raccoon (Procyon lotor) roundworm, Baylisascaris procyonis, has been found to have an adverse effect on the survival of Alleghany woodrats (N. magister). High densities of raccoons can exacerbate this problem by increasing the amount of feces containing viable eggs of B. procyonis available to woodrats. In 2002, 64 fecal samples were collected and examined for eggs of B. procyonis from >32 raccoons within the KLWR's known range on Key Largo, Florida, USA. All samples were negative for eggs of B. procyonis. Raccoon density in this area was approximately 0.62 raccoons/ha. Despite this high density of raccoons, B. procyonis does not appear to be a threat to the KLWR population.

McCleery, Foster, Lopez, Peterson, Forrester, and Silvy: Survey of Raccoons on Key Largo, Florida, USA, for Baylisascaris procyonis
Robert A. McCleery, Garry W. Foster, Roel R. Lopez, Markus J. Peterson, Donald J. Forrester, and Nova J. Silvy "Survey of Raccoons on Key Largo, Florida, USA, for Baylisascaris procyonis," Journal of Wildlife Diseases 41(1), 250-252, (1 January 2005). https://doi.org/10.7589/0090-3558-41.1.250
Received: 18 May 2004; Published: 1 January 2005
KEYWORDS
Baylisascaris procyonis
density
endangered species
Florida
Key Largo woodrat
Neotoma floridana smalli
Procyon lotor
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