Hypoderma actaeon: an emerging myiasis in roe deer (Capreolus capreolus)

Area of Science:

• Veterinary Parasitology
• Wildlife Health
• Entomology

Background:

• Subcutaneous myiasis in wildlife can impact animal health and population dynamics.
• Hypoderma spp. are known parasites of various ungulates, causing significant economic losses in livestock.
• Previous research has not extensively documented Hypoderma spp. in Iberian roe deer populations.

Purpose of the Study:

• To identify and confirm the presence of Hypoderma spp. larvae in roe deer from central Spain.
• To characterize the morphological features of detected larvae.
• To investigate the potential subcutaneous lifecycle of Hypoderma actaeon in this host.

Main Methods:

• Examination of hides from roe deer hunted between January and March 2016 in central Spain.
• Morphological analysis of collected larvae from different developmental stages.
• Identification of the parasite species based on established taxonomic keys.

Main Results:

• Subcutaneous larvae of Hypoderma spp. were detected in 10 out of 10 roe deer examined.
• Morphological identification confirmed the presence of Hypoderma actaeon Brauer.
• Small first-instar larvae suggest a potentially exclusive subcutaneous lifecycle.

Conclusions:

• This study provides the first confirmation of Hypoderma actaeon in roe deer (Capreolus capreolus).
• The findings suggest a potential for subcutaneous myiasis caused by H. actaeon in this wildlife species.
• Further research is recommended to determine the parasite's distribution and the evolution of myiasis in roe deer populations.