Parasites of South African Wildlife. I. Helminths of bushbuck, Tragelaphus scriptus, and grey duiker, Sylvicapra grimmia, from the Weza State Forest, Natal

Abstract

Thirteen bushbuck, Tragelaphus scriptus, and 13 grey duikers, Sylvicapra grimmia, were culled in the Weza State Forest, Natal, from May 1983-May 1984. The maximum number of worms recovered from a single bushbuck was 393. Of the total number of worms recovered from all the bushbuck, Paracooperia devossi were the most numerous, followed by Ostertagia harrisi, a Cooperia sp. and Haemonchus vegliai. P. devossi and O. harrisi were more numerous during winter and the Cooperia sp. more numerous during summer. Grey duiker harboured from 0-230 worms. The same Cooperia sp. as was recovered from the bushbuck and Trichostrongylus axei were the most numerous. The larvae of Taenia hydatigena were recovered from 5 duikers. The Coopena sp. was more numerous during summer and T. axei during winter, the remaining worms showing no seasonal pattern of abundance. Amended lists of the helminth parasites found in these antelope in the Republic of South Africa are provided.