Dracunculus sp. PantanalBr Infection in Florida Panthers and Bobcat, Florida, USA

Researchers identified the parasite Dracunculus sp. PantanalBr in subcutaneous worms removed from two endangered Florida panthers and one bobcat in Florida. This parasite species had previously been reported only in a domestic dog and a jaguar in Brazil. Dracunculus spp. are large subcutaneous nematodes found in mammals and reptiles, with a life cycle involving ingestion of infected copepods through drinking water. Researchers analyzed worms collected from 12 Florida panthers and 1 bobcat during 2002-2025 using morphological and genetic methods. Overall, 5 panthers and the bobcat were infected with Dracunculus sp. nematodes, with parasites from 2 panthers and the bobcat identified as Dracunculus sp. PantanalBr. Additionally, Dirofilaria spp. nematodes were identified in 4 panthers.