ETD

• Casentinesi Forests National Park
• Echinococcus spp.
• Gastrointestinal parasites
• grey wolf
• helminths
• red fox
• Taenia spp.
• Taeniidae
• Tuscany

The thesis investigates the ecological, epidemiological, and genetic dynamics of Taenia spp. and Echinococcys spp. within the Casentinesi Forests National Park (CFNP), Tuscanny, in Italy. Taeniidae parasites depend on a multi-host trophically transmitted system, utilizing prey as intermediate hosts and predators as definitive hosts. Certain species within this family, particularly Echinococcus multilocularis and Echinococcus granulosus, are significant zoonotic agents causing alveolar and cystic echinococcosis, which are recognized as neglected tropical diseases by the World Health Organization. Other species, such as Taenia hydatigena and Taenia krabbei, albeit not zoonotic, severely impact veterinary health and livestock economies.The main objective of the research was to assess the occurrence of these tapeworms in wild carnivores, specifically red foxes and grey wolves, acting as environmental sentinels in CFNP, a strategic area bridging Tuscany and Emilia-Romagna. The study aimed to identify any potential southward expansion of E. multilocularis, assess the biodiversity of Taeniidae species in the two carnivores populations and evaluate the phylogenetic relationships of the tapeworm community using short mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) sequences. Furthermore, the study integrated dietary analyses to biologically explain the transmission of tapeworms based on host feeding habits. The research employed a two-fold approach. Initially, a systematic literature review following PRISMA guidelines was conducted across Scopus, PubMed, and Web of Science to outline the historical presence of Echinococcus and Taenia species in Italy. This yielded 30 relevant articles for data extraction. Secondly, a field study involved the extraction of DNA from parasite eggs in carnivore feces. Molecular identification relied on the amplification and sequencing of mitochondrial markers, specifically partial cox1 and nad1 genes, to study intraspecific variations.
Phylogenetic relationships were computed through Maximum Likelihood trees, applying the Tajima test and specific nucleotide substitution models like TPM3uf+G.The literature review revealed that the Echinococcus granulosus complex is widely distributed across Italy, strongly linked to a domestic life cycle involving sheepdogs and livestock. In contrast, Echinococcus multilocularis remains largely confined to Northern Italy The review also identified notable limitations in existing literature, including publication bias, lack of a gold-standard detection technique, high data heterogeneity, and missing data regarding intermediate hosts in Southern Italy.
Our results confirm sylvatic Taeniidae cycles in CFNP.
The molecular analyses of the CFNP feacal samples successfully identified eggs of Taenia krabbei and Taenia hydatigena, and of Echinococcus ortleppi, that was identified for the first time in the study area. Notably, the study detected the mtDNA of Mesocestoides litteratus in the faeces of a European wildcat (Felis silvestris), validating the generalist behavior of this parasite which can infect both canids and felids. The absence of E. multilocularis in CFNP, suggests a limited southern expansion of this tapeworm.
Crucially, the study documented the absence of Echinococcus granulosus s.s. and livestock-associated tapeworms in wild foxes and wolves from the national park. This confirms that the zoonotic life cycle of this species in Italy remains restricted to domestic intermediate hosts. Lastly, dietary analysis showed that, contrary to other regions where roe deer is the staple prey for wolves, the wild boar remains the primary food source for grey wolves in CFNP, heavily dictating the specific taeniid transmission cycle. The study underscores the necessity of continuous molecular and ecological surveillance for veterinary control and wildlife conservation.