Helminth and arthropod parasites of black bear, Ursus americanus, in central Ontario

Abstract

Black bears (U. americanus) from central Ontario, Canada, were examined for parasites between 1975-1977. Nine species of helminths and 2 species of ectoparasites were recovered: Taenia krabbei in 2 of 83 bears; Alaria americana in 1 of 83; Baylisascaris transfuga in 20 of 83; Crenosoma petrowi, C. potos and C. vulpis in 21 of 64; Dirofilaria ursi in 140 of 148; Physaloptera rara in 1 of 83; Trichinella sp. in 1 of 59; Oropsylla arctomys on 1 of 5; and Trichodectes pinguis euarctidos on 1 of 5 bears. The data are discussed in relation to previous records of parasites within central Ontario and previous reports of bear parasites. A. americana is considered a new host record for North American ursids.