Evaluation of the health of free-ranging greater rheas (Rhea americana) in Argentina.

The health of 22 free-ranging adult rheas (Rhea americana) examined and sampled during a translocation/reintroduction project and six juvenile rheas kept in semicaptivity was investigated, and details of their haematology and plasma biochemistry are presented. Serological testing for antibodies to infectious agents was negative for infectious laryngotracheitis, avian adenovirus, avian influenza, avian reovirus, infectious bursal disease, infectious bronchitis virus, paramyxovirus types 1, 2, and 3, fowlpox and Salmonella Pullorum. Antibodies to Chlamydophila species were found in 25 of 27 of the birds, and 22 of 25 had antibodies to Aspergillus species. Ova of gastrointestinal nematodes of the genus Capillaria were identified, and the anoplocephalid cestode Monoecocestus cf rheiphilus was identified in R americana for the first time.

Internal parasites of free-ranging guanacos from Patagonia.

In the winter of 2000, a greater than 80% reduction in the guanaco population located in Cabo Dos Bahi;as Wildlife Reserve, Chubut, Argentina, was evident due to massive mortality attributed to starvation. Twelve guanacos were necropsied and samples were analyzed at the Parasitology Laboratory of Facultad de Ciencias Veterinarias, Universidad Nacional del Litoral. Fecal analysis revealed developmental stages of Nematodirus sp., Marshallagia sp., Trichuris sp. and Eimeria spp. Histopathological analysis showed the presence of Sarcocystis sp. in muscle and fascia cysts. Other parasites recovered included Dictyocaulus filaria, Trichuris tenuis and Moniezia expansa. Of these, D. filaria and M. expansa possibly reflect interactions with domestic sheep. This is the first time that T. tenuis has been reported in guanacos.