Parasites of South African wildlife. XIV. Helminths of nyalas (Tragelaphus angasii) in the Mkuzi Game Reserve, KwaZulu-Natal

Abstract

The helminths of 58 nyalas (Tragelaphus angasii) culled in the Mkuzi Game Reserve, KwaZulu-Natal, during March 1991 , and six culled during March 1994, were collected, identified and counted. Of these, an as yet undescribed Camelostrongylus sp., Cooperia hungi, an Onchocerca sp., Strongyloides papillosus and Moniezia benedeni are new parasite records. The individual nematode burdens of the antelope examined during March 1991 varied from one to 2 327, and the total mean adult gastro-intestinal-nematode burden was 586. Those examined during March 1994 had burdens that varied from 322 to 1 778, with a mean of 854. The two Camelostrongylus spp. were the most prevalent nematodes in the nyalas culled during 1991 , while the trematode Cotylophoron jacksoni was most prevalent in those culled during 1994. The most numerous nematode in nyala calves during 1991 was a Cooperia rotundispiculum race, while the two Camelostrongylus spp. were most numerous in the adult and sub-adult nyalas from both surveys. No clear trends between rainfall and nematode burdens were evident, nor was there any correlation between faecal nematode egg counts and nematode burdens. Contrary to what was observed in an earlier survey, female nyalas had larger nematode burdens than the males.