Relationship of the Landscape Configuration with the Gut Parasites and Fungi Diversity in Farm Animals Associated with Conservation Areas in Colombia: Epidemiological Risk to Wildlife.

purposeLivestock sustainability intersects environmental, economic, and social dimensions, particularly through its influence on animal health. This study aimed to evaluate the diversity of eukaryotic gastrointestinal parasites and microbiota in domestic animals from productive systems located within Colombian conservation areas, where livestock coexist with wild mammals such as primates, pumas, Andean bears, and tapirs. Specifically, we examined how natural vegetation fragmentation relates to parasite diversity, richness, and equitability.

methodsFecal samples from cattle, horses, and domestic dogs were analyzed using metabarcoding of the 18S rRNA gene via Nanopore sequencing, focusing on protozoa as key indicators. Microscopy was used to confirm molecular findings. Epidemiological descriptors, including prevalence, mean intensity, and mean abundance, were estimated, and Bayesian Poisson regression models were applied to assess associations between landscape metrics and parasite or fungal diversity.

resultsFrom 50 collected samples, 27 yielded usable sequences, revealing 11, 12, and 3 parasite taxa in cattle, horses, and dogs, respectively. The diversity of eukaryotic microbiota and parasites in cattle and horses correlated positively with native forest cover and negatively with forest shape irregularity, indicating that larger and more compact forest patches favor greater parasite diversity.

conclusionParasite transmission between livestock and wild mammals in conservation landscapes represents a bidirectional ecological risk. Although extensive forest cover enhances ecosystem integrity, it may also increase parasite diversity, with potential implications for livestock health and disease management strategies.