Abstract
Fecal samples were collected from 6 African forest elephants, Loxodonta africana cyclotis, from the Nouabale-Ndoki National Park, Republic of Congo, and the Dzangha-Sangha National Park, Central African Republic. One of the elephants was found freshly dead from natural causes, and 12 species of intestinal parasites (2 bot fly larvae, 1 trematode, and 9 nematodes) were collected during a complete necropsy. In addition, fecal samples revealed the presence of a schistosome, Bivitellobilharzia sp., a tracheal nematode, Mammomonagamus sp., and a complex of intestinal strongylids and ciliates. The nematode genera Decrusia and Equinurbia are reported for the first time from African elephants, and the ciliate genus Latteuria is reported for the first time from wild elephants. The parasite fauna of the African elephant is discussed in the light of recent genetic evidence that the forest and savannah elephants may be separate species.
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
