Abstract:
The endoparasite fauna of the spiny mouse (Acomys
spinosissimus) was studied for the first time from April 2007 until April
2009 in a population from the Limpopo Province of South Africa. In a
total of 129 mice examined, only 6 endoparasite taxa were found, 2
nematode species (Syphacia minuta, Monanema joopi), 1 genus of cestodes
(Rodentolepis spp.), and unidentified hymenolepidid fragments. In
addition, 1 pentastomid species (Armillifer grandis) as well as
unidentified porocephalid specimens were recovered. The overall
prevalence was low, at 15.5%, and only 1 individual harbored more
than 1 parasite species. With 12.4% prevalence, S. minuta was the most
prevalent parasite. Its prevalence and abundance were significantly higher
during the dry and cooler season than during the wet and warm season,
while a female-biased burden was observed during the wet season only.
For the remaining parasite species, low prevalence prevented meaningful
statistical analyses. The observed parasite species richness, prevalence, and
abundance for A. spinosissimus were low compared to values reported for
other Acomys spp. This may be linked to the lack of anthropogenic
influences in the study population as well as the small size of A.
spinosissimus.
