Research overview: disease and parasite ecology of jaguars and Neotropical felids

Jaguars and other Neotropical cats inhabit diverse tropical ecosystems where they encounter a wide array of pathogens and parasites, though their disease ecology remains less studied than that of African and North American felids. This overview surveys available knowledge on disease in jaguars, ocelots and smaller cats, including exposure to feline viruses, Toxoplasma and vector-borne parasites, and the influence of habitat fragmentation and contact with domestic animals. It examines the methodological challenges of studying rainforest carnivores and the conservation relevance of disease for declining populations. The synthesis connects felid disease epidemiology to the rich but under-researched Neotropical region. It aims to help readers appreciate both what is known and the substantial gaps in understanding disease threats to the big and small cats of Central and South America.