Helminth parasites of the muskrat (Ondatra zibethicus (L.)) in Newfoundland

1981 ◽  
Vol 59 (11) ◽  
pp. 2172-2176 ◽  
Author(s):  
Michael D. Rigby ◽  
William Threlfall

One hundred and fourteen muskrats (Ondatra zibethicus (L.)), collected between September 1977 and January 1979 in three areas of insular Newfoundland, were examined for helminths, with 11 species being found (7 Digenea, 2 Cestoda, and 2 Nematoda). Diplostomum mergi was recovered from a mammal for the first time. Distribution along the alimentary tract was examined and all helminths recovered preferred the proximal 60% of the small intestine, except Quinqueserialis quinqueserialis and Trichostrongylus calcaratus, which preferred the caecum. Adult and immature muskrats showed differences in the prevalence and intensity of infection and the adults also had larger concurrent infections. In only one case, namely Hymenolepis evaginata, was a parasite species more prevalent in one sex (the males). Small seasonal differences in prevalence and (or) intensity of infection were noted for some parasites and were related to differences in parasite burden of adult and immature hosts and water temperature. A difference in the occurrence of Digenea between sample areas was related to water pH and hardness.

Parasitology ◽  
1999 ◽  
Vol 119 (3) ◽  
pp. 323-330 ◽  
Author(s):  
B. SURES ◽  
K. KNOPF ◽  
J. WÜRTZ ◽  
J. HIRT

A total of 121 European eels (Anguilla anguilla) from 2 sampling sites on the River Rhine were investigated in respect of their parasite communities. Special attention was given to the swim bladders, intestines, gills and fins of the fish. Twelve different parasite species were found to live in and on the eels. Data from each sampling site were kept separate. Parasites found in descending order of prevalence were: Anguillicola crassus, Trypanosoma granulosum, Myxobolus sp., Paratenuisentis ambiguus, Pseudodactylogyrus sp., Bothriocephalus claviceps, Myxidium giardi, Pomphorhynchus laevis, Trichodina sp., Raphidascaris acus, Acanthocephalus lucii and Acanthocephalus anguillae. Significantly different prevalences were reported for L3 larvae of A. crassus, adult P. ambiguus, B. claviceps and Myxobolus sp. at the 2 sampling sites. The highest number of parasite species was recorded from the intestine, which contained up to 6 different helminths. The coexistence of the acanthocephalans P. laevis and P. ambiguus, which showed clear patterns of distribution within the intestine of the respective hosts, was reported for the first time. Up to 3 different helminth species were found in the intestine of individual fish. Among those, acanthocephalans were the most prevalent worms with the eel-specific parasite P. ambiguus as the dominant species not only of the intestinal but also of the total component communities. Both infra and component communities exhibited low diversity and were dominated by this single species. The evenness reached only approximately 50% or less and it remained unclear why the helminth communities of the eels from the River Rhine with its huge catchment area exhibit such a low parasite diversity and high dominance.


2021 ◽  
Vol 18 (1) ◽  
pp. 8-18
Author(s):  
O. Edo-Taiwo ◽  
M.S.O. Aisien

The parasitofauna of ground-dwelling anurans from pesticide-treated cocoa plantations (CP) in Ojo Camp, Ugboke, Edo State of Nigeria were investigated and compared with those recovered from host specimens collected from the village settlement (VS). The anurans were caught by hand following visual or acoustic location. The anurans encountered in both the VS and the CP included Aubria subsigillata, Hylarana spp. (H. albolabris and H. galamensis), Sclerophrys spp. (S. maculata and S. regularis), Ptychadena spp. (P. aequiplicata, P. longirostris, P. mascareniensis, P. oxyrhynchus and P. pumilio) and Hoplobatrachus occipitalis. Hylarana galamensis, Ptychadena spp. and Sclerophrys spp. were encountered in the VS and the CP while Aubria subsigillata, H. albolabris and H. occipitalis occurred only in the CP. The helminth parasites recovered included four cestode species (adult of Cylindrotaenia jaegerskioeldi and three encysted  proteocephalid larvae), five Polystoma spp. 11 species of digeneans and 19 nematode species. More parasite species were recovered from toads collected from the VS; parasite prevalence was generally low in both habitats but the intensity of infection was higher in the specimens collected from the VS. Although cip A. subsigillata and H. ocitalis both occurred in the CP, A. subsigillata was the more susceptible host of the two, harbouring 16 helminth parasites as against four from H. occipitalis. Polystomes were recovered from H. albolabris and H. galamensis in addition to Diplodiscus fischthalicus and Mesocoelium spp. Infections occurred  mostly among the Ptychadeniidae collected from the CP, with prevalence ranging from 12.5% to 100% and infection intensity from 1.0 to 13.0. The generally low parasite burden in anurans from the CP can possibly be attributed to the pesticide contamination of this habitat which may have hindered the development of the free-living stages of parasites in this milieu. Keywords: Anurans; cocoa plantation; pesticides; parasitofauna; prevalence; intensity.  


1973 ◽  
Vol 47 (3) ◽  
pp. 329-338 ◽  
Author(s):  
Catherine Ellis ◽  
I. C. Williams

1. Ninety-six lesser black-backed gulls, Larus fuscus L., captured at about 6 weeks of age, were kept in captivity for up to 2⅛ years. At intervals some gulls were killed and examined for helminth parasites, of which 14 species were found comprising 4 species of Trematoda, 5 species of Cestoda and 5 species of Nematoda.2. Nine of the 14 species are commonly found in Holarctic gulls and may be regarded as characteristic members of the helminth fauna of these birds. Six species are recorded from L. fuscus for the first time.3. The life span of different species of helminth parasites in L. fuscus varied from 2 months to 2⅛ years; few specimens lived in their host for more than one year. During captivity there was a marked decline in the variety of the helminth fauna of individual gulls, as well as a general decline in the incidence and intensity of infection with individual species of parasites. There was one exception, the tape-worm Tetrabothrius cylindraceus, which increased in incidence and maintained a fairly even intensity of infection in L. fuscus over 21 months. The results are discussed in relation to the ecology of the parasite and the host.


1974 ◽  
Vol 31 (6) ◽  
pp. 1031-1036 ◽  
Author(s):  
G. M. Hare ◽  
C. Frantsi

Seventeen parasite species (3 protozoans, 11 helminths, 2 arthropods, and 1 mollusc) were collected from 317 Atlantic salmon (Salmo salar), 207 brook trout (Salvelinus fontinalis), and 34 rainbow trout (Salmo gairdneri) in the 13 Canadian Maritime hatcheries during 1972. Four parasites, Camallanus oxycephalus, Pomphorhynchus bulbocolli, Hydrachna sp., and a glochidium, were recorded from Atlantic salmon for the first time. Incidence and intensity of infection were high for Trichophyra piscium, Diplostomulum spathaceum, and glochidia infecting salmon and for Acanthocephalus lateralis and Salmincola edwardsii infecting brook trout. Infection intensity of Apophallus imperator, D. spathaceum, S. edwardsii, and glochidia increased with host age. Apophallus imperator and S. edwardsii were host specific to brook trout and the glochidium was host specific to salmon. Sterliadochona tenuissima and A. lateralis were more abundant in brook trout than in salmon. Pathology was associated with infections of Hexamita salmonis, D. spathaceum, A. lateralis, and S. edwardsii.


Parasitology ◽  
2005 ◽  
Vol 130 (6) ◽  
pp. 709-715 ◽  
Author(s):  
R. POULIN ◽  
D. MOUILLOT

Different animal species have different probabilities of being discovered and described by scientists, and these probabilities are determined to a large extent by the biological characteristics of these species. For instance, species with broader geographical ranges are more likely to be encountered by collectors than species with restricted distributions; indeed, the size of the geographical range is often the best predictor of a species' date of description. For parasitic organisms, host specificity may be similarly linked to the probability of a species being found. Here, using data on 170 helminth species parasitic in freshwater fishes, we show that host specificity is associated with the year in which the helminths were described. Helminths that exploit more host species, and to a lesser degree those that exploit a broader taxonomic range of host species, tend to be discovered earlier than the more host-specific helminths. This pattern was observed across all helminth species, as well as within the different helminth taxa (trematodes, cestodes, nematodes and acanthocephalans). Our results demonstrate that the parasite species known at any given point in time are not a random subset of existing species, but rather a biased subset with respect to the parasites' biological properties.


1987 ◽  
Vol 65 (2) ◽  
pp. 304-311 ◽  
Author(s):  
J. S. Scott

Alimentary tracts of the five common hakes of the Scotian shelf (Urophycis chuss, Urophycis tenuis, Phycis chesteri, Merluccius bilinearis, Merluccius albida) were examined for helminth parasites. A total of 29 species was found: 17 Digenea, 4 Cestoda, 6 Nematoda, 2 Acanthocephala. The greatest numbers of species were found in the closely associated U. tenuis (25) and U. chuss (19). Phycis chesteri hosted a moderate number (14) but included 3 digeneans that are typical of deep water (Anomalotrema koiae, Lethadena profunda, Paraccacladium jamiesoni) not found in the other hakes. The merlucciids were characterized by low numbers of parasite species, particularly of digeneans, but showed high prevalence of the host-specific cestode Clestobothrium crassiceps. The effects of geographic distribution, fish length, and depth of capture on parasite prevalence were examined for those parasites that were adequately represented. There was little difference in geographical distribution except in the case of C. crassiceps, in which distribution suggested a separate population of M. bilinearis on the Scotian Shelf from that of the Gulf of Maine. Fish length and depth of capture had little effect on parasite prevalence.


2020 ◽  
Vol 11 (1) ◽  
pp. 173 ◽  
Author(s):  
Daisy Abere ◽  
Belema Robert ◽  
Chidinma C. Amuzie ◽  
Godfrey C. Akani

Helminths are common parasitic fauna of goats. This study was aimed at identifying and quantifying the gastrointestinal helminth parasites of Red Sokoto goats slaughtered at Trans-Amadi and Rumuokoro abattoirs, Rivers State, Nigeria. Fifty intestinal tracts were examined at each location accounting for a total of 100 samples from both locations. Samples were weighed and dissected; direct microscopy was used to examine samples for adult helminths and test-tube floatation technique was used to examine organic matter from samples for parasite eggs. Nematodes were identified using keys and fixed in 70% alcohol. Prevalence and mean intensity of infection were computed; product moment correlation and Student t-tests were used for statistical analysis. Two nematode parasites were identified- Haemonchus contortus and Trichuris ovis. In Trans Amadi, prevalence and mean intensity of infection were 46.0% and 13 parasites/infected host, respectively for H. contortus, and 54.0% and 11 parasites/infected host for T. ovis. In Rumuokoro, prevalence of 38.0% and 52.0% were computed for H. contortus and T. ovis, respectively, while the mean intensity were 6 and 8 parasites/infected host, respectively for H. contortus and T. ovis. Single infection with Trichuris ovis was higher (30% Trans Amadi; 34% Rumuokoro) than either single infection with H. contortus or double infection with both parasites. There was a significant correlation between the parasite burden and intestinal mass at Trans-Amadi (r48=0.33, P0.05=0.279), but not at Rumuokoro (r48=0.10, P0.05=0.279). The total prevalence and prevalence of single and double infection at both locations did not differ significantly (t3=0.93, p=0.21). Agricultural extension and meat inspection services should be carried out regularly to educate farmers on the symptoms, impacts, treatment and management of helminth parasites.


2013 ◽  
Vol 40 (2) ◽  
pp. 155-164 ◽  
Author(s):  
Aleya Begum ◽  
Nasrin Banu

A total of 75 toads (39 males and 36 females), Bufo melanostictus, collected from different areas of Dhaka city from May 2009 to April 2010 was examined for helminth parasites. The results showed that seven parasite species were collected, and prevalence of infection was 100%. The parasite fauna was comprised of Trematoda: 8% was the prevalence of Ganeo kumaonensis, 8% of Halipegus eccentricus; Nematoda: 100% of Oswaldocruzia indica, 68% of Neopharyngodon sp., 40% of Rhabdias bufonis; Acanthocephala: 28% of Pseudoacanthocephalus bufonis; and Pentastomida: 4% of Raillietiella indica. Serious damage was observed in intestine (53.94%) then rectum (24.55%), stomach (12.73%) and lungs (8.78%). The males had a higher intensity (77.92) than the females (44.58). Seasonally, the highest intensity of infection was found in the rainy season (81.21) and lowest during the winter (39.87). DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3329/bjz.v40i2.14308 Bangladesh J. Zool. 40(2): 155-164, 2012


2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Seyyed Farzad Motevalli-Haghi ◽  
Atyeh Shemshadian ◽  
Maryam Nakhaei ◽  
Roghiyeh Faridnia ◽  
Omid Dehghan ◽  
...  

Abstract Cockroaches are considered to be important reservoirs for protozoan and helminth parasites ,particularly an emerging Lophomonas spp., protozoan parasite. German cockroaches, Blattella germanica (B. germanica), are domestic pest distributed worldwide. However, little information is available regarding the burden of Lophomonas spp. infestation among domestic cockroach population worldwide. The present study investigated parasitic agents, emphasizing Lophomonas spp. infestation among B. germanica in northern Iran. During spring and summer 2018, a total of 496 adults B. germanica (265 males and 231 females) were trapped by hand and glass traps from the teaching hospitals in Mazandaran, Sari, northern Iran. All cockroaches were identified using taxonomic keys. Each cockroaches was anesthetized with chloroform and the alimentary tract removed. Each section was smeared onto a glass slide. All the smears were examined under light microscopy to determine the presence of the parasites. Ten genera of parasites were identified from the trapped B. germanica; overall, 233 (47%) were found to be positive for helminths (n=135) and protozoa (n=98). The helminths included Aspiculuris tetraptera egg (67/233, 28.7%), Oxiuros sp. (39/233; 16.7%), Dentostomella translucida (17/233; 7.3%), and nematodes Ova (12/233; 5.2%). The protozoan parasites identified Gregarina sp. (61/233; 26.2%), Entamoeba sp. (19/233; 8.2%), Blastocystis sp. (5/233; 2.1%), Lophomonas (4/233; 1.7%), Nyctotherus sp. (4/233; 1.7%), unclassified flagella (5/233; 2.1%). Lophomonas spp. was detected within the gut of B. germanica, for the first time, in Iran. It has previously been identified in the gut of cockroaches a long time ago, however, this is the first attempt to detect Lophomonas in cockroaches housing in hospitals. Thereby, it possibly presenting pose a serious respiratory infection risk for patients and health care personnel.


1970 ◽  
Vol 21 (1) ◽  
pp. 55-66
Author(s):  
Joseph D'Silva ◽  
Aminul Islam Bhuiyan ◽  
Glenn A Bristow

Demographic parameters such as prevalence, intensity, abundance etc. of the component parasites of hilsa (Tenualosa ilisha) collected from 11 sites under 3 different habitats all over Bangladesh were calculated as a function of host size, sex and organ of infection. Organ preference of component parasite species did not show any variation in the hilsa collected from the three ecological habitats. All the trematodes were found exclusively in cardiac stomach and intestine. Nematodes were less organ specific. Abundance of total parasites in cardiac stomach and intestine were not significantly different from each other but that of stomach and mesenteries were significantly different from each other and from cardiac stomach or mesentery. In freshwater hilsa differences between most of the lower length groups were not significant (p > 0.05). In brackish water hilsa parasite burden were significantly different between length groups. In marine hilsa mean parasites burden in different length classes were not significant (p > 0.05). DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3329/dujbs.v21i1.9745 DUJBS 2012 21(1): 55-65


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