Helminth and arthropod parasites of indigenous goats in the northern Transvaal

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.