A SURVEY OF GASTROINTESTINAL PARASITES OF WILD AND ORPHAN GREATER ONE-HORNED RHINO ( RHINOCEROS UNICORNIS) IN KAZIRANGA NATIONAL PARK, ASSAM, INDIA.

Wild greater one-horned rhinos ( Rhinoceros unicornis), orphaned juveniles in human care, and orphaned calves from Kaziranga National Park, Assam, India were surveyed coprologically for gastrointestinal parasites. Parasite infections were present in 100% of wild rhino samples, 96% of orphaned juvenile samples, and 27% of orphaned calf samples. In wild rhino, observed parasite ova were primarily of trematodes Paramphistomum sp. (100%), followed by those of strongyle nematodes (94%) and the cestode Anoplocephala sp. (56%). Orphaned juvenile and calf samples were positive only for strongyles. Total fecal parasite egg counts were recorded in wild rhino (mean 64 eggs per gram [epg], range 0-270), orphan juveniles (mean 43 epg, range 0-145), and orphan calves (mean 2 epg, range 0-10). Results suggest that parasite infection in rhinos in this setting is common, though more extensive sampling would provide further information on epidemiology and potential impacts on individual health and population viability.

Helminth communities of owls (strigiformes) indicate strong biological and ecological differences from birds of prey (accipitriformes and falconiformes) in southern Italy.

We compared the helminth communities of 5 owl species from Calabria (Italy) and evaluated the effect of phylogenetic and ecological factors on community structure. Two host taxonomic scales were considered, i.e., owl species, and owls vs. birds of prey. The latter scale was dealt with by comparing the data here obtained with that of birds of prey from the same locality and with those published previously on owls and birds of prey from Galicia (Spain). A total of 19 helminth taxa were found in owls from Calabria. Statistical comparison showed only marginal differences between scops owls (Otus scops) and little owls (Athene noctua) and tawny owls (Strix aluco). It would indicate that all owl species are exposed to a common pool of 'owl generalist' helminth taxa, with quantitative differences being determined by differences in diet within a range of prey relatively narrow. In contrast, birds of prey from the same region exhibited strong differences because they feed on different and wider spectra of prey. In Calabria, owls can be separated as a whole from birds of prey with regard to the structure of their helminth communities while in Galicia helminths of owls represent a subset of those of birds of prey. This difference is related to the occurrence in Calabria, but not Galicia, of a pool of 'owl specialist' species. The wide geographical occurrence of these taxa suggest that local conditions may determine fundamental differences in the composition of local communities. Finally, in both Calabria and Galicia, helminth communities from owls were species-poor compared to those from sympatric birds of prey. However, birds of prey appear to share a greater pool of specific helmith taxa derived from cospeciation processes, and a greater potential exchange of parasites between them than with owls because of phylogenetic closeness.

Patterns of gastro-intestinal parasites and commensals as an index of population and ecosystem health: the case of sympatric western chimpanzees (Pan troglodytes verus) and guinea baboons (Papio hamadryas papio) at Fongoli, Senegal.

The exponential decline of great apes over the past 50 years has resulted in an urgent need for data to inform population viability assessment and conservation strategies. Health monitoring of remaining ape populations is an important component of this process. In support of this effort, we examined endoparasitic and commensal prevalence and richness as proxies of population health for western chimpanzees (Pan troglodytes verus) and sympatric guinea baboons (Papio hamadryas papio) at Fongoli, Senegal, a site dominated by woodland-savanna at the northwestern extent of chimpanzees' geographic range. The small population size and extreme environmental pressures experienced by Fongoli chimpanzees make them particularly sensitive to the potential impact of pathogens. One hundred thirty-two chimpanzee and seventeen baboon fecal samples were processed using sodium nitrate floatation and fecal sedimentation to isolate helminth eggs, larvae, and protozoal cysts. Six nematodes (Physaloptera sp., Ascaris sp., Stronglyloides fuelleborni, Trichuris sp., an unidentified hookworm, and an unidentified larvated nematode), one cestode (Bertiella sp.), and five protozoans (Iodamoeba buetschlii, Entamoeba coli, Troglodytella abrassarti, Troglocorys cava, and an unidentified ciliate) were detected in chimpanzee fecal samples. Four nematodes (Necator sp., S. fuelleborni, Trichuris sp., and an unidentified hookworm sp.), two trematodes (Shistosoma mansoni and an unidentified fluke), and six protozoans (Entamoeba histolytica/dispar, E. coli, Chilomastix mesnili, Balantidium coli, T. abrassarti, and T. cava) were detected in baboon fecal samples. The low prevalence of pathogenic parasite species and high prevalence of symbiotic protozoa in Fongoli chimpanzees are indicative of good overall population health. However, the high prevalence of pathogenic parasites in baboons, who may serve as transport hosts, highlight the need for ongoing pathogen surveillance of the Fongoli chimpanzee population and point to the need for further research into the epidemiology and cross-species transmission ecology of zoonotic pathogens at this site.

Steroid hormone related male biased parasitism in chamois, Rupicapra rupicapra rupicapra.

Parasites are linked with their host in a trophic interaction with implications for both hosts and parasites. Interaction stretches from the host's immune response to the structuring of communities and the evolution of biodiversity. As in many species sex determines life history strategy, response to parasites may be sex-specific. Males of vertebrate species tend to exhibit higher rates of parasites than females. Sex-associated hormones may influence immunocompetence and are hypothesised to lead to this bias. In a field study, we tested the prediction of male biased parasitism (MBP) in free ranging chamois (Rupicapra rupicapra rupicapra), which are infested intensely by gastrointestinal and lung helminths. We further investigated sex differences in faecal androgen (testosterone and epiandrosterone), cortisol and oestrogen metabolites using enzyme immunoassays (EIA) to evaluate the impact of these hormones on sex dependent parasite susceptibility. Non-invasive methods were used and the study was conducted throughout a year to detect seasonal patterns. Hormone levels and parasite counts varied significantly throughout the year. Male chamois had a higher output of gastrointestinal eggs and lungworm larvae when compared to females. The hypothesis of MBP originating in sex related hormone levels was confirmed for the elevated output of lungworm larvae, but not for the gastrointestinal nematodes. The faecal output of lungworm larvae was significantly correlated with androgen and cortisol metabolite levels. Our study shows that sex differences in steroid levels play an important role to explain MBP, although they alone cannot fully explain the phenomenon.

[Helminth species of goats in Germany]. / Helminthenbefall bei Ziegen in Deutschland.

The helminth fauna of the gastrointestinal tract of 25 and the respiratory organs and the livers of 6 German goats was qualitatively and quantitatively examined. One trematode species (Dicrocoelium dendriticum), 2 species of cestodes (Moniezia expansa and metacestodes of Taenia hydatigena) and 28 species of nematodes (24 in the gastrointestinal tract and 4 in the lungs) were recorded. Two goats were infested with Oestrus ovis larvae. The most prevalent species were Ostertagia circumcincta and Chabertia ovina (84% each), Ostertagia trifurcata and Oesophagostomum venulosum (76% each), Ostertagia pinnata and Trichostrongylus colubriformis (64% each), Trichuris ovis (60%) and Skrjabinema ovis and Trichuris globulosa (56% each). The highest mean worm counts were seen in goats infected with Skjabinema ovis (4003), Ostertagia circumcincta (2501), Trichostrongylus axei (1825), Trichostrongylus colubriformis (1578) and Nematodirus battus (1050). Totally, the goats did harbour more nematodes in the abomasum (3734) than in the small intestine (1707) or the large intestine (2343). The lungs were parasitized by Cystocaulus ocreatus, Muellerius capillaris, Neostrongylus linearis and Protostrongylus rufescens.

[Endoparasitic fauna and incidence of species in yearling and adult horses in Upper Bavarian breeding farms with regular anthelmintic prophylaxis lasting for many years]. / Endoparasitenfauna und Befallshäufigkeit der Arten bei Jährlingen und erwachsenen Pferden in oberbayerischen Zuchtbetrieben mit jahrelanger, regelmässiger Anthelminthikaprophylaxe.

In this epidemiological study 127 horses from five breeding farms in Upper Bavaria were included. The horses were coproscopically examined in intervals of four weeks over a 16-month period. Since 1992 in all farms regular prophylactic treatments with anthelmintics have been carried out. In 127 horses at least five species were established, such as Parascaris equorum, Anoplocephala perfoliata, Gasterophilus intestinalis and small strongyles, whose third stage larvae were characterized by eight or twelve intestinal cells. Infections with small strongyles occurred most frequently, followed by G. intestinalis, A. perfoliata and P. equorum. Seven horses excreted eggs of P. equorum, three yearlings, and a two, four, five and seven year old animal, each. 113 of the 127 examined horses showed infections with strongyles, hence, almost all animals of the farms I-V. The evaluation of horses with strongyle infections as regards to the frequency of the coproscopically established eggs revealed a high incidence independent of age. The maximal epg-values showed no obvious age-dependent differences varying between < or = 67 and 3733. The horses excreted strongyle eggs with epg-values of > or = 333 predominantly during the summer. With an epg-value of > or = 333, independently of age the 23 horses treated with Ivomec-P as well as 20 of the 24 horses given Banminth remained coproscopically negative three to four weeks after treatment. The animals treated with Rintal or Panacur continued to excrete strongyle eggs three to four weeks following the anthelmintic application. The use of anthelmintics in horses with epg-values < 333 revealed analogous results. Infections with A. perfoliata were established in all farms, altogether in 32 horses independently of the age of the animals. Eggs of G. intestinalis have been observed only in two farms, but almost in all horses there.

Helminth and arthropod parasites of sandy fox, Vulpes ruppeli (Fissipedea; Carnivora) from Sohag, with redescription of Platynosomum fastosum (Digenea: Dicrocoeliidae).

Forty-seven Vulpes ruppeli from two rural areas neighbouring the poultry farms in Sohag, Egypt were examined for helminth and arthropod parasites. A total of ten species of helminths (4 trematodes, 3 cestodes and 3 nematodes) and six species of arthropod ectoparasites (one louse, 3 fleas and one tick) were found. Redescription of the trematode parasite, Platynosomun fastosum Kossack 1910, which was recovered for the first time in Sohag, was the most important point. Data were discussed.