First report of gastrointestinal parasites from Ansell's mole-rat (Fukomys anselli) in Zambia
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Date
Authors
Lutermann, Heike
Haukisalmi, Voitto
Junker, Kerstin
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Publisher
American Society of Parasitologists
Abstract
The endoparasite fauna of Ansell's mole-rat, Fukomys anselli (Burda, Zima, Scharff, Macholán and Kawalika) (Rodentia, Bathyergidae), was studied for the first time near Lusaka, Zambia. We recovered 7 endoparasite taxa including 5 nematodes (Hexametra sp.; Protospirura numidica Seurat, 1914; Protospirura muricola Gedoelst, 1916; Protospirura sp.; and Mammalakis zambiensis Junker, Lutermann and Mutafchiev, 2017); and 2 cestodes (Inermicapsifer sp. and Rodentolepis cf. microstoma Dujardin, 1845) from 272 individuals sampled between February 2009 and February 2010. Species richness (0–2), prevalence (14.7%), and abundance (0.44 ± 0.10) were low, probably as a result of the subterranean lifestyle of the study species. Although effect of host sex on helminth burden was largely absent, helminth burden varied with season and breeding status of the host. This may be a result of seasonal variation in burrow size in response to rainfall, but also the division of labor present in the study species.
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Keywords
Rodentia: Bathyergidae, Determinants, Evolution, Populations, Ansell’s mole-rat (Fukomys anselli), Zambia, Gastrointestinal parasites
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Citation
Lutermann, H., Haukisalmi, V. & Junker, K. 2018, First report of gastrointestinal parasites from Ansell's mole-rat (Fukomys anselli) in Zambia', Journal of Parasitology vol. 104, no. 5, pp. 566-570.