The biology and adaptations of the hippopotamus leech Placobdelloides jaegerskioeldi (Glossiphoniidae) to its host

1994 ◽  
Vol 72 (3) ◽  
pp. 418-422 ◽  
Author(s):  
J. H. Oosthuizen ◽  
Ronald W. Davies
Keyword(s):  
Feeding Behaviour ◽  
National Park ◽  
Laboratory Experiments ◽  
Species Specificity ◽  
Kruger National Park ◽  
Free Living ◽  
Alternative Hosts ◽  
Anatomical Features ◽  
Sexually Mature

The specificity of the association between the freshwater leech Placobdelloides jaegerskioeldi and the hippopotamus was confirmed both by collections from the Kruger National Park and by laboratory experiments. Placobdelloides jaegerskioeldi is established as the only leech showing species specificity for a mammal. Forty sexually mature leeches were collected free-living and 2260 mature and immature leeches were collected from 40 of 53 culled hippopotami. In the field P. jaegerskioeldi was never found on any of the alternative hosts, and none fed in the laboratory when offered a range of potential hosts. A combination of unique attributes, including mode of locomotion, anatomical features, and feeding behaviour, makes it possible for this leech to utilize the hippopotamus as a host. Evidence suggests that mating in P. jaegerskioeldi is restricted to the rectum of the hippopotamus.

scholarly journals Tetanus in a free-living Hippopotamus Hippopotamus Amphibius Capensis from the Kruger National Park

Koedoe ◽  
1980 ◽  
Vol 23 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
V De Vos ◽  
B. D De Klerk
Keyword(s):  
National Park ◽  
Kruger National Park ◽  
Polluted Water ◽  
Intraspecific Aggression ◽  
Way Of Life ◽  
Free Living ◽  
Clostridium Tetani ◽  
Ample Opportunity ◽  
Close Proximity ◽  
Hippopotamus Amphibius

Tetanus in a free-living hippopotamus (Hippopotamus amphibius) from the Kruger National Park is described. The animal exhibited the classical tetanus symptomatology, the most salient clinical features being trauma (skin wounds) associated with exaggerated response of voluntary muscles to trivial stimuli, muscular spasms, general muscular rigidity, trismus, prolapsed third eye-lid and the preservation of consciousness. It is conjectured that the hippo's semi-aquatic way of life with its close proximity to dung-polluted water and an innate intraspecific aggression amongst males which often leads to fighting and trauma, should provide ample opportunity for infection with Clostridium tetani.

scholarly journals Studies on the food and feeding behaviour of the Reedbuck Redunca Arundinum Boddaert, 1785 in the Kruger National Park

Koedoe ◽  
1971 ◽  
Vol 14 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Hartmut Jungius
Keyword(s):  
Feeding Behaviour ◽  
National Park ◽  
Kruger National Park ◽  
Food Species ◽  
Food And Feeding ◽  
Grazing Behaviour

Feeding behaviour of the reedbuck was observed near Pretoriuskop and in the Shawu vlei in the Kruger National Park from March 1967 to April 1968. Grazing behaviour, rumination, grazing sites and competition with other herbivores are discussed as well as an analysis of the food species.

scholarly journals Cornu Cutaneum on the Mandibular region of a Greater Kudu Tragelaphus Strepsiceros

Koedoe ◽  
1971 ◽  
Vol 14 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
V. De Vos ◽  
J. J. Kloppers
Keyword(s):  
National Park ◽  
Kruger National Park ◽  
Free Living ◽  
Cornu Cutaneum ◽  
Mandibular Region ◽  
Tragelaphus Strepsiceros ◽  
Greater Kudu

The condition, cornu cutaneum, in a free living kudu Tragelaphus strepsiceros in the Kruger National Park is described. Macroscopical and microscopical findings are recorded. Two identical cases have been observed previously.

scholarly journals An unusual case of snaring in a free-living spotted Hyaena Crocuta Crocuta from the Kruger National Park

Koedoe ◽  
1981 ◽  
Vol 24 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
V De. Vos
Keyword(s):  
South Africa ◽  
National Park ◽  
Unusual Case ◽  
Kruger National Park ◽  
Crocuta Crocuta ◽  
Free Living

On various occasions over a period of three months an adult spotted hyaena Crocuta crocuta was reported near Skukuza Rest Camp in the Kruger National Park, Republic of South Africa, with a snare around his neck.

scholarly journals The effect of severe drought on the abundance of ticks on vegetation and on scrub hares in the Kruger National Park

Koedoe ◽  
1995 ◽  
Vol 38 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
A.M. Spickett ◽  
I.G. Horak ◽  
Heloise Heyne ◽  
L.E.O. Braack
Keyword(s):  
National Park ◽  
Kruger National Park ◽  
Ixodid Ticks ◽  
Severe Drought ◽  
The South ◽  
Free Living ◽  
South West ◽  
Landscape Zone

Free-living ixodid ticks were collected monthly from August 1988 to July 1993 from the vegetation of landscape zones 17 (Sclerocarya caffra/Acacia nigrescens Savanna) and 4 (Thickets of the Sabie and Crocodile Rivers) in the south-east and south-west of the Kruger National Park respectively, and parasitic ticks from scrub hares in the latter landscape zone. Total tick collections from the vegetation of both landscape zones were lowest in the year following the drought year of August 1991 to July 1992, while the tick burdens of the scrub hares were lowest during the drought year itself.

scholarly journals Tooth replacement of tigerfish Hydrocynus vittatus from the Kruger National Park

Koedoe ◽  
1996 ◽  
Vol 39 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
C.L. Gagiano ◽  
G.J. Steyn ◽  
H.H. Du Preez
Keyword(s):  
Body Length ◽  
Feeding Behaviour ◽  
National Park ◽  
Kruger National Park ◽  
Tooth Replacement

Evidence of tooth replacement was observed in 14 tigerfish which had been caught during the period 1991 - 1993 in the Olifants and Letaba rivers in the Kruger National Park. Replacement of teeth is a quick process (3-5 days) and first replacement of adult coni- cal dentition takes place at six to seven months post hatch, at a body length of 100 mm (FL). Swollen gums are evident prior to tooth replacement and newly erupted teeth are loosely embedded in the gums. Tooth replacement occurs in both the upper and lower jaws simultaneously. It was observed in the laboratory that the feeding behaviour was affected when adult conical dentition was replaced in @ 287 mm (FL) specimens.

scholarly journals A preliminary check list of the free-living and plant-parasitic nematodes of the Kruger National Park

Koedoe ◽  
1990 ◽  
Vol 33 (2) ◽  
Author(s):  
Annelize Botha ◽  
J. Heyns
Keyword(s):  
National Park ◽  
Kruger National Park ◽  
Parasitic Nematodes ◽  
Plant Parasitic Nematodes ◽  
Check List ◽  
Free Living ◽  
Plant Parasitic

A preliminary check list is given of terrestrial free- living and plant-parasitic nematodes of the Kruger National Park. Twenty families, comprising 33 genera and some 50 species are recorded.

scholarly journals Dentition and Life History of a 16-year-old Known-age Free-living Male Lion Panthera leo (Linnaeus, 1758) from the Kruger National Park

Koedoe ◽  
1988 ◽  
Vol 31 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
I.J. Whyte ◽  
G.L. Smuts
Keyword(s):  
Life History ◽  
National Park ◽  
Age Determination ◽  
Kruger National Park ◽  
Life History Strategies ◽  
Panthera Leo ◽  
Free Living ◽  
History Of

Wear in the dentition of a known-age, free-living, 16-year-old male lion is described and compared to existing age-determination techniques. Aspects of his life history are described as they are in some contrast to what is known of male lions' life history strategies.

scholarly journals On the stunted Mocambique tilapia Oreochromis mossambicus (Peters, 1852) (PIsces: Cichlidae) of the Matiovila hot spring, Kruger National Park

Koedoe ◽  
1984 ◽  
Vol 27 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
T Hecht ◽  
P Zway
Keyword(s):  
National Park ◽  
Hot Spring ◽  
Oreochromis Mossambicus ◽  
Mature Female ◽  
Kruger National Park ◽  
Von Bertalanffy ◽  
Sulphur Spring ◽  
Sexually Mature

A stunted population of Oreochromis mossambicus occurs in the Matiovila Hot Sulphur Spring in the Kruger National Park. The growth of the fishes can best be described by the Von Bertalanffy equation L, = ^^(l-e0154^028^) mm SL. Breeding occurs throughout the year and the smallest sexually mature female was 35 mm SL. The fish from this locality were morphometrically compared to another stunted population and to a population of 0. mossambicus from a large impoundment. Speculative reasons for and advantages of stunting are presented.

scholarly journals Death due to volvulus in a white rhinoceros ceratotherium simum from the Kruger National Park

Koedoe ◽  
1975 ◽  
Vol 18 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
V. De Vos
Keyword(s):  
Intestinal Obstruction ◽  
Cause Of Death ◽  
National Park ◽  
Acute Intestinal Obstruction ◽  
Kruger National Park ◽  
Anatomical Features ◽  
Ceratotherium Simum ◽  
White Rhinoceros

Acute intestinal obstruction due to volvulus is described as the cause of death in an adult white rhinoceros cow. It is also pointed out that the gross anatomical features which predispose volvulus in the horse, are also present in the white rhinoceros and is considered to have some significance in the aetiology of the present case.

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