Abstract:
Helminth and arthropod parasites of 60 female indigenous goats of three age groups on a farm in the
northern Transvaal were collected, identified and counted. Anoplocephalid tapeworms were present
in the two younger groups of goats, while larvae of Taenia hydatigena were recovered from all three
groups. Eight species and two genera of nematodes were found in the youngest goats, five species
and three genera in the middle group and six species and two genera in the oldest goats. Strongyloides
papillosus was the most numerous and most prevalent nematode in the youngest goats, while
Haemonchus contortus was most numerous and most prevalent in both older groups.
Adult H. contortus was most abundant during the summer months, while S. papillosus occurred in the
youngest goats during the cooler months (April to September). No pattern of seasonal abundance could
be established for the other nematodes.
Only ixodid ticks were recovered and of the nine species present, the immature stages of Amblyomma
hebraeum were most numerous and prevalent. Boophilus decoloratus was present from October to
January and in August, and the adults of a Rhipicephalus sp. (near R. pravus) from January to March
and during May. Rhipicephalus simus was present from October to January.
