Parasitic helminths of black bear cubs (Ursus americanus) from Florida

Twenty-two Florida black bear (Ursus americanus floridanus) cubs (less than or equal to12 mo old) front Florida were examined for endoparasites between 1998 and 2003. Eleven species of helminths were found (8 nematodes. 2 trematodes. and 1 acanthocephalan). The most prevalent helminths were Ancylostoma caninum (64%), Macracanthorhynchus ingens (36%), Strongyloides sp. (27%), Baylisascaris transfuga (23%). and A. tubaeforme (14%). New host records include A. tubae-forme and Brachylaima virginianum. This is the first report of B. transfuga in black bears from Florida.