Protozoa in the digestive tract of wild herbivores I : Protozoa in the hindgut of South African warthogs (Phacochoerus aethiopicus)

Abstract

Seventeen warthogs were harvested during the winter hunting seasons of May to July 2001 and May to June 2002. All animals were taken from their natural habitat. Samples (200 ml each) were collected and weighed from the stomach, cecum and colon of each animal for protozoa counts. Telamodinium onyx was the only species present in 7 animals and the predominant species in all others. Megadinium aethiopicum was observed in 8 animals and Teratodinium sphaeredon was present in at least 2 of the warthogs. Several different species of protozoa were seen in a few animals, two of which are considered normal to the rumen.