Abstract:
The warthog (Phacochoerus aethiopicus) is a grazer
and hindgut fermenter with an apparent unique
population of protozoa; however, only a limited
number of specimens have been studied to date. In
addition to having a very low number of protozoal
species, little is known about temporal (seasonal)
variation and geographic variation in protozoan
diversity. Forty-one warthogs were harvested over a
two-year period (2003–2005) from a wildlife area
owned by the South African Air force (Ditholo). Additional
samples were obtained from three animals at
a farm near Northam (2004), plus three animals
from a game ranch (Knapdaar) near Ellisras (2010).
Several physical parameters of the digestive tract
were measured, i.e. pH, temperature, organ length,
weight of organ contents, dry matter, density and
digesta in vitro gas production. Samples were collected
from the caecum and colon for protozoal counts. In the
animals from Ditholo and Northam, Telamodinium
onyx was present in 42 of the 44 animals and was the
predominant species. Megadinium aethiopicum was
observed in 33 animals and Teratodinium sphaeredon
was present in 10 of the warthogs. Blepharoconus
krugerensis was present in four animals. A single
species of both Cyclopostidae and Isotricha were
present in two separate animals. In the warthogs
harvested at Knapdaar, T. onyx, M. aethiopicum and
B. krugerensis were present in all three animals, while
M. sphaeredon was present in only two. Unexpectedly,
the species Blepharosphaera intestinalis and Charonina
equi were found in all three animals. Concentration
of protozoans in caecum/colon fluid averaged
about 25 × 103 per ml. In conclusion, the larger number
of animals studied established that there can be
considerable protozoan diversity among animals and
that both seasonal and geographic variation occur.
