Parasites of domestic and wild animals in South Africa. XXIV. Arthropod parasites of bushbuck and common duiker in the Weza State Forest, Natal

Abstract

One bushbuck, Tragelaphus scriptus, and 1 common duiker, Sylvicapra grimmia, were shot each month from May 1983 to May 1984 in the Weza State Forest, Natal, i.e. a total of 13 animlas of each species. The bushbuck were infested with 8 ixodid tick species, 2 louse species and a louse-fly species. The common duiker harboured 7 tick species and 2 louse species. Ticks of the genus Ixodes were the most numerous and prevalent on both antelope species, but no pattern of seasonal abundance was evident. Although only small numbers were recovered, adult Haemaphysalis aciculifer were present from September to February, nymphs of Rhipicephalus appendiculatus from May to September, and adult Rhipicephalus lunulatus from December to March. The louse-fly, Lipoptena paradoxa, was recovered from some of the bushbuck from October to May.