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1 October 2010 SEASONAL AND DEMOGRAPHIC FACTORS INFLUENCING GASTROINTESTINAL PARASITISM IN UNGULATES OF ETOSHA NATIONAL PARK
Wendy C. Turner, Wayne M. Getz
Author Affiliations +
Abstract

Host-parasite dynamics can be strongly affected by seasonality and age-related host immune responses. We investigated how observed variation in the prevalence and intensity of parasite egg or oocyst shedding in four co-occurring ungulate species may reflect underlying seasonal variation in transmission and host immunity. This study was conducted July 2005–October 2006 in Etosha National Park, Namibia, using indices of parasitism recorded from 1,022 fecal samples collected from plains zebra (Equus quagga), springbok (Antidorcas marsupialis), blue wildebeest (Connochaetes taurinus), and gemsbok (Oryx gazella). The presence and intensity of strongyle nematodes, Strongyloides spp. and Eimeria spp. parasites, were strongly seasonal for most host-parasite combinations, with more hosts infected in the wet season than the dry season. Strongyle intensity in zebra was significantly lower in juveniles than adults, and in springbok hosts, Eimeria spp. intensity was significantly greater in juveniles than adults. These results provide evidence that acquired immunity is less protective against strongyle nematodes than Eimeria spp. infections. The seasonal patterns in parasitism further indicate that the long dry season may limit development and survival of parasite stages in the environment and, as a result, host contact and parasite transmission.

Wendy C. Turner and Wayne M. Getz "SEASONAL AND DEMOGRAPHIC FACTORS INFLUENCING GASTROINTESTINAL PARASITISM IN UNGULATES OF ETOSHA NATIONAL PARK," Journal of Wildlife Diseases 46(4), 1108-1119, (1 October 2010). https://doi.org/10.7589/0090-3558-46.4.1108
Received: 3 December 2009; Accepted: 1 April 2010; Published: 1 October 2010
KEYWORDS
Antidorcas marsupialis
Connochaetes taurinus
Eimeria
Equus quagga
Oryx gazella
parasite intensity
parasite prevalence
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