Two Sheathed Microfilariae in Animals from the Congo Basin Forest

Abstract

Fuller descriptions with illustrations are given of two previously reported microfilariae: Mf. perodictici from an arboreal lemur (Perodicticus potto ibeanus) and Mf. aonycis from the giant African otter (Aonyx congica). We have observed microfilariae in the blood of many African vertebrates in the eastern Congo at the forest station of Irangi. The station is located 10 50' S lat and 280 30' E long at an altitude of 900 m, on the lower slopes of the West African rift in Kivu in dense natural rain forest. The humidity in the forest at Irangi is high; the annual rainfall, as much as 3,300 mm, is rather evenly distributed throughout the year. Two sheathed microfilariae were studied especially. The first, very similar to Wuchereria bancrofti, was found in the common lemur, Perodicticus potto ibeanus, and the second, resembling Loa loa, in the giant African otter, Aonyx congica. Preliminary announcements were made of the new microfilariae (van den Berghe, Peel, and Chardome, 1956, 1957), and specific names were given to them. More detailed descriptions of the two microfilariae, together with illustrations, are provided here. Microfilaria perodictici van den Berghe, Peel, and Chardome, 1956