Parasites of South African wildlife. II. Helminths of kudu, Tragelaphus strepsiceros, from South West Africa/Namibia

Abstract

A total of 23 kudu, Tragelaphus strepsiceros, were shot at 2-month intervals from June 1983 to April 1984 in the Etosha Game Reserve in the north of South West Africa/Namibia. The parasite survey conducted on these animals yielded 2 cestode and 12 nematode species. Haemonchus vegliai and Cooperia neitzi were the most prevalent nematodes and occurred in 13 animals each, followed by Cooperia acutispiculum and an Onchocerca sp. (9 animals each). The remaining nematodes were present in 4 (17 %) or fewer of the antelope. C. neitzi was the most numerous nematode, a total of 3 564 being recovered from all the antelope, followed by C. acutispiculum (2 552) and H. vegliai (1 050). Individual total worm burdens varied from 4-1 326 with 2 kudu harbouring no worms. The mean burden of 399 worms was considered negligible. A single kudu was shot in the Namib-Naukluft Park in the south of the country. This animal harboured no parasites.