Effect of urbanization on zoonotic gastrointestinal parasite prevalence in endemic toque macaque (Macaca sinica) from different climatic zones in Sri Lanka

This study was carried out to determine the gastrointestinal parasite profile of captive animals kept in three private zoological gardens (Olusegun Obasanjo Presidential Library (OOPL) Wildlife Park, Q-BRAT Zoos and Gardens, OMU Resort) in south-west Nigeria. Animals were screened for gastrointestinal parasites via faecal analysis using standard coprological techniques. A total of 104 faecal samples were collected from forty-three animal species across the three zoos. Faecal samples examination revealed an overall parasite prevalence of 41.37%. The prevalence in OOPL was 35.29%, 62.5% in Q-BRAT and 40.54% in OMU. Gastrointestinal helminths identified were hookworm, Ascaris sp, Clonorchis sp, Enterobius sp, Trichuris sp and Dipylidium sp, while Entamoeba sp, Giardia sp and coccidian parasites were the only protozoans present. Hookworm and Ascaris sp had the highest prevalence of 39.53% and 18.60% respectively. Prevalence across five categories of captive animals (aves, herbivores, carnivores, primates and reptiles) showed that primates and herbivores had the highest prevalence rates (54.55% and 43.75% respectively). Coccidian parasites had the highest intensity in birds at OOPL. This study shows the presence of parasites of zoonotic importance (Entamoeba sp, Hookworm, Ascaris sp, Giardia sp Enterobius sp and Trichuris sp) among screened animals. The result of this survey calls for the improvement of husbandry practices, continuous parasite surveillance and therapeutic practices in the zoos in order to prevent a breakdown of animal and public health. Keywords: Gastrointestinal parasites; captive animals; zoological gardens, zoonosis; public health; south-west Nigeria.

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Breeding and Territorial Behaviour of Indian Black Robin (Copsychus fulicata leucoptera) in Mihintale, Sri Lanka

Research in Ecology ◽

10.30564/re.v1i2.899 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 1 (2) ◽

Author(s):

Wickramasinghe Sriyani

Keyword(s):

Sri Lanka ◽

Breeding Season ◽

Territory Size ◽

Breeding Ecology ◽

Microsoft Excel ◽

Climatic Zones ◽

Focal Animal ◽

Open Land ◽

Breeding Seasons ◽

Black Robin

Indian Black Robin (Copsychus fulicata leucoptera) ( Lesson, 1840) is one of the territorial birds often found in all climatic zones in Sri Lanka. Territory size of this birds species is vary according to the breeding season and habitats that they occupy. The present study was carried out to understand the breeding ecology and territorial behavior of Indian Black robin both in breeding and non-breeding periods. The study was carried out at the Mihintale sanctuary and the Faculty premises of Rajarata university of Sri Lanka. Eleven breeding pairs of Black robins were observed to collect using scan and focal animal sampling methods from 2014 to 2017. Territory mapping was done using ArcGIS 10.3 and % behavioral act was calculated using Microsoft excel. Two breeding seasons were identified during March to September. The average nest building period was13.25±0.96 days. Total of 10 nests were recorded, seven were successful nests but chicks were observed from only three of them while in other four of them were damaged due to several reasons. Three nests were abandon by the female bird with eggs which may considered as pseudo nests. The eggs were whitish in colour with small brownish blotches. The clutch size ranged from 2-4. The average incubation period was 11± 3.4 days. The identified foraging sites are nearby roads, human settlements and live foliage. Fifteen territories were recorded during the study period in the open land areas, sparse grasslands or scrublands. The territory sizes of non-breeding season ranged from 617 to 5504 m2 while territories of breeding season ranged from 1335 to 8736 m2.

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Microbiological properties of root zone of coconut grown in different soil series in Sri Lanka

CORD ◽

10.37833/cord.v20i01.378 ◽

2004 ◽

Vol 20 (01) ◽

pp. 34

Author(s):

K.S.K.S. Fernando ◽

N.A. Tennakoon ◽

S. Widanapathirana

Keyword(s):

Sri Lanka ◽

Root Zone ◽

Biological Properties ◽

Soil Conditions ◽

Soil Series ◽

Climatic Zones ◽

Microbiological Parameters ◽

Identification Of Bacteria ◽

C And N ◽

Bacteria And Fungi

In Sri Lanka, coconut is cultivated under diverse soil conditions of varying fertility status available in different agro-climatic zones. Although chemical and physical characteristics in some of these soils are known, their biological properties are yet to be studied. Hence the aim of this study was to determine the microbiological parameters in root zone of coconut grown in different soil series. For this study, 20 different soil series in coconut growing area were analyzed for number of total bacterial and fungal colonies, identification of bacteria and fungi, biomass C and N; CO2 evolution and nitrogen mineralization. The microbiological parameters varied with the soil series. The bacterial population densities were significantly (p=0.001) high in Ambakelle, Kalpitiya, Rathupasa and Madampe soil series while the fungal colonies were significantly (p=0.001) high in Thambarawa, Pallama, Wilatawa and Ambakelle soil series.

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Human-monkey (Macaca sinica) Conflict in Sri Lanka

Sri Lanka Veterinary Journal ◽

10.4038/slvj.v63i2.15 ◽

2017 ◽

Vol 63 (2) ◽

pp. 35

Author(s):

B. C. G. Mendis ◽

Ashoka Dangolla

Keyword(s):

Sri Lanka ◽

Macaca Sinica

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