Nematode parasites from Burchell's zebras in South Africa

Twenty-five Burchell's zebras (Equus burchelli antiquorum) which were culled at monthly intervals in the Kruger National Park were examined for helminths. Twenty-nine species of nematodes belonging to the families Atractidae, Habronematidae, Onchocercidae, Oxyuridae, Strongylidae, Strongyloididae and Trichostrongylidae were recovered. The cyathostomes (small strongyles) most abundant were Cyathostomum tetracanthum, Cylicostephanus calicatus, Cylindropharynx sp. (? C. intermedia Theiler, 1923) and Cylicocyclus auriculatus. Cyathostomum alveatum, Cyathostomum montgomeryi, Cylicostephanus calicatus and Cylindropharynx sp. (? C. intermedia Theiler, 1923) were the most prevalent cyathostomes (small strongyles) while Craterostomum acuticaudatum was the most prevalent of the large strongyles. Of all the species recovered those most abundant were Crossocephalus viviparus and Probstmayria vivipara with intensities of 100 to 3,857,772 and 18,400 to 104,120,467, respectively. Four new species, two Triodontophorus spp. (Strongylidae) and two Habronema spp. (Habronematidae) were identified. Furthermore, this study furnishes a first report of Triodontophorus minor in zebras. The fourth stage cyathostomes as well as the adults of 11 of the 14 species were present in significantly greater intensities in autumn and winter.     

Prevalence and abundance of equine strongyles (Nematoda: Strongyloidea) in tropical Australia

A postmortem survey of 57 horses in tropical northern Queensland revealed 41 (89%) infected with intestinal strongyles. Thirty-five strongyle species (8 large strongyles and 27 small strongyles [Cyathostominae]) were recorded of which 9 species are reported from Australia for the first time. The 14 most prevalent small strongyles were Cyathostomum catinatum (in 76% of horses), Cyathostomum coronatum (65%), Cyathostomum pateratum (33%), Cyathostomum labiatum (30%), Cylicostephanus calicatus (70%), Cylicostephanus longibursatus (67%), Cylicostephanus goldi (43%), Cylicostephanus minutus (26%), Cylicocylus nassatus (67%), Cylicocyclus leptostomus (41%), Cylicocylus insigne (41%), Cylicocyclus radiatus (33%), Cylicocyclus brevicapsulates (22%), and Poteriostomum imperidentum (24%). The remaining cyathostomes were each found in less than 15% of horses. The 4 most common large strongyles were Triodontophorus serratus (30%), Strongylus vulgaris (28%), Strongylus equinus, and Strongylus edentatus (both 22%). The number of species of small strongyles per horse showed a marked variation (mean 10.3, range 2-21) but bore no relationship to either the total number of strongyles per horse, age, sex, and breed of horse, or season. Total number of strongyles per horse (mean 15,890, range 20-165,000) was less than in recent surveys in Europe and the U.S.A. Most horses had low worm burdens, whereas a very small number were heavily infected. Ninety-seven per cent of the total strongyle counts were small strongyles. Strongylus species contributed just over 1%. Small numbers of large strongyles per horse were usual with T. serratus (mean 570), S. vulgaris (mean 330), and S. equinus (mean 330) the most numerous.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)     

Parasitic helminths of the cecum and colon of equidae in Italy]

Intestinal helminths from coecum and colon were studied in 93 equidae including 40 horses, 36 donkeys and 17 mules. A total of 38 species, 36 nematodes and 2 cestodes, were identified as follows: 1) Triodontophorus serratus, 2) Triodontophorus brevicauda, 3) Strongylus equinus, 4) Strongylus edentatus, 5) Strongylus vulgaris, 6) Cyathostomum tetracanthum, 7) Cyathostomum coronatum, 8) Cyathostomum labiatum, 9) Cyathostomum labratum, 10) Cyathostomum alveatum, 11) Cyathostomum pateratum, 12) Cyathostomum catinatum, 13) Cyathostomum sagittatum, 14) Cylicodontophorus bicoronatus, 15) Cylicocyclus radiatus, 16) Cylicocyclus auriculatus, 17) Cylicocyclus elongatus, 18) Cylicocyclus nassatus, 19) Cylicocyclus insigne, 20) Cylicocyclus leptostomus, 21) Cylicostephanus calicatus, 22) Cylicostephanus poculatus, 23) Cylicostephanus minutus, 24) Cylicostephanus longibursatus, 25) Cylicostephanus hybridus, 26) Cylicostephanus goldi, 27) Cylicostephanus ornatus, 28) Cylicostephanus skrjabini, 29) Poteriostomum ratzii, 30) Gyalocephalus capitatus, 31) Parascaris equorum*, 32) Probstmayria vivipara, 33) Draschia megastoma*, 34) Habronema muscae*, 35) Habronema majus*, 36) Setaria equina*, 37) Anoplocephala perfoliata, 38) Paranoplocephala mamillana. The asterisked species are those not usually localized in the examined material. The most frequent parasites were found in all three hosts. Species 1, 4, 6, 9, 10, 12, 21, 22, 30 and 35 showed significant differences in prevalence between horses and donkeys, the mule generally having intermediate values. Multiple infections and total worm burden appear to decrease in older animals (> 15 years). Parasite associations occur mostly at random as expected from the values of the respective total prevalences. Some significant excesses on expected values were recorded but not significant deficits. The total worm burden increases with the number of parasite species and the increase appears to follow an exponential pattern.     

A comparison of the intestinal helminth communities of Equidae in Southern Africa

The intestinal helminth communities of 8 horses, 12 donkeys, 21 Hartmann's mountain zebras, and 44 Burchell's zebras were compared using the original data from 6 studies in South Africa and Namibia. Necropsy and worm recovery techniques were comparable between the studies. Sixty helminth species (58 nematode, 1 cestode, and 1 trematode species) were recorded. There were significant differences in the helminth community structures of the 4 Equus species. The helminth communities of the 2 closely related zebra subspecies were most similar, and they jointly shared 7 helminth species with donkeys and only 1 with horses. Geographic variation and host-mixing contributed to the helminth species composition. Multiple confamilial species infections were the norm in the donkeys and zebra subspecies, and no single-species infection was recorded for the Strongylidae. Congeneric species were commonly recorded in 3 genera (Cyathostomum, Cylicocyclus, and Cylicostephanus). The shape of the occupancy frequency distributions for the donkeys and zebra subspecies was multimodal, with no clear satellite or core modes. Despite the presence of environmental variability and comparatively low parasite-host specificity, the phylogenetic signal within Equus helminth communities remains strong.     

Species-specific identification of equine cyathostomes resistant to fenbendazole and susceptible to oxibendazole and moxidectin by macroarray probing

Cyathostome populations in horses on two farms located in central Italy with a history of fenbendazole (FBZ) resistance were investigated with the Faecal Egg Count Reduction Test to evaluate the susceptibility to oxibendazole and moxidectin. Faecal eggs were collected pre- and post-treatment on each farm and molecularly examined with a Reverse Line Blot (RLB) assay able to unequivocally detect and identify 13 cyathostome species. Resistance to FBZ was confirmed on both farms, while oxibendazole and moxidectin demonstrated 97% and 100% efficacy, respectively. Overall eight species of cyathostomes (Coronocyclus labiatus, Cylicocyclus ashworthi, Cylicocyclus nassatus, Cyathostomum catinatum, Cylicostephanus longibursatus, Cylicostephanus goldi, Cylicostephanus calicatus and Cylicocyclus insigne) were identified in pre-treatment samples. Coronocyclus labiatus and C. goldi were identified after treatment with FBZ while C. calicatus and C. labiatus were shown to be <100% susceptible to oxibendazole. These data confirm that resistance to benzimidazoles is established in cyathostome populations from horse farms in Italy and that they are susceptible to moxidectin. The oxibendazole has been successfully demonstrated for the first time as effective against Italian populations of cyathostomes resistant to other benzimidazoles. The RLB assay herein used showed to be useful to study the distribution of these parasitic populations at species level under field conditions and could represent a powerful tool in broader investigation of drug resistance in horse farms from several countries.     

Prevalence of strongyle nematodes in naturally infected ponies of different ages and during different seasons of the year in Louisiana

One hundred and seventeen ponies were surveyed for the seasonal prevalence of strongyloid parasites, particularly cyathostomes, and for host- and age-related differences in these infections. For 56 ponies, all stages of the cyathostome life cycle, both mucosal and luminal, were enumerated. Total numbers of cyathostomes and percentage of developing larvae (DL) encysted in the mucosa remained constant in all 4 seasons of the year, whereas a significant increase in the percentage of adults in the cyathostome population occurred in fall. In yearling ponies, encysted early third-stage larvae constituted a significantly lower percentage of the cyathostome population, and DL and adults formed a significantly higher percentage, compared with those stages in older ponies, 2-5 yr of age. More species of cyathostomes were present in yearling ponies than in older ponies. Significant differences occurred in fecal egg counts at different seasons of the year, even though adult cyathostome and large strongyle numbers remained constant. Twenty-four species of cyathostomes were found year-round, and 2 rare species were found in only 2 or 3 seasons of the year. Prevalences for these 24 species were not significantly different during any season, although 5 species had significant differences in intensity levels of infection in certain seasons of the year. Three species of large strongyle (strongylinae) adults had significant seasonal variations in intensities. These were Strongylus edentatus and S. vulgaris, which occurred in significantly higher numbers in summer and fall, and Triodontophorus brevicauda, which was more numerous in spring and summer. Fourth- and fifth-stage larvae of S. vulgaris recovered from the mesenteric vasculature were significantly more numerous in winter and spring than in other seasons.     

Effect of management interventions on the helminth parasites recovered from donkeys in South Africa

The helminth burdens and biodiversity of 9 randomly selected donkeys (Equus asinus) were examined after necropsy. Prior to necropsy, 8 of the animals were subjected to 1 of 3 management interventions (monthly fecal removal, prewinter moxidectin treatment, and a combination of both treatments) or a control for a 16-mo period. The remaining animal was killed earlier in the study. Quantitative samples were collected from the gastrointestinal tract for helminth recovery. The intestinal walls were examined with transmural illumination and thereafter digested with a HCl-peptic method for identification of the mucosal larval stages of cyathostomes. In this study, 37 helminth species belonging to the Ascarididae, Atractidae, Dictyocaulidae. Habronematidae, Onchocercidae, Oxyuridae, Strongylidae, and Trichostrongylidae, 1 cestode species of the Anoplocephalidae, and 1 trematode species in the Paramphistomatidae were recovered. In addition, 1 species of oestrid fly of the Gasterophilidae was identified. The results obtained in the present study support the application of several intervention methods to reduce the helminth burdens in donkeys.     

Investigation of diversity and isotypes of the beta-tubulin cDNA in several small strongyle (Cyathostominae) species

The diversity of the beta-tubulin cDNAs of the cyathostominae and the occurrence of further isotypes were examined in adult worms isolated from an anthelmintic-na?ve horse. cDNAs encoding beta-tubulin from Cyathostomum catinatum, Cylicocyclus nassatus, Cylicocyclus insigne, Cylicocyclus radiatus, Cylicocyclus elongatus, Cyathostomum coronatum, and Cyathostomum pateratum were characterized using specific primers developed from the cDNA sequence of Cc. nassatus. The cDNA sequences span 1,429 bp and show identities ranging from 95.6 to 100%. The deduced protein sequences span 448 amino acids and were 98-100% identical. The amino acid sequences of the 7 species varied within and between species at 10 positions. A 3' Rapid Amplification of cDNA ends using a degenerate forward primer was carried out with cDNA from Cy. pateratum, Cy. coronatum, Cy. catinatum, and Cc. nassatus to investigate the occurrence of further beta-tubulin isotypes. The expected polymerase chain reaction (PCR) product of 400 bp, including 306 bp of coding sequence, was amplified, as was an additional fragment of 600 nucleotides in the case of Cy. pateratum, Cy. coronatum, and Cy. catinatum. Sequencing of the PCR products revealed no evidence for the existence of a second beta-tubulin isotype in cyathostomes. The variation in size was caused by a length polymorphism within the 3' untranslated region, and 2 functional mRNAs seem to be transcribed from the same gene.     

Morphological identification of ticks (Acari: Ixodidae) infesting donkeys (Equus asinus) in Maputo Province,Mozambique

Donkeys (Equus asinus) are rustic animals, but in Africa’s poorest regions, they can present multiple health problems, including tick infestation. The study’s objective was to determine the species composition of ticks that infest donkeys in Maputo Province (Mozambique). Ticks were collected in five conveniently selected southern districts of Maputo Province (Moamba, Matutuíne, Marracuene, Boane, and Matola) and were identified to species level using a stereoscopic microscope with the aid of dichotomous identification keys. In total, 500 ticks were collected from all 88 selected donkeys. Three genera of ticks were identified, namely Rhipicephalus (97.2%; 486/500), Amblyomma (2.2%; 11/500), and Hyalomma (0.6%; 3/500). Seven species were identified, of which Rhipicephalus evertsi evertsi with 50.4% (252/500) was the most prevalent, followed by Rhipicephalus appendiculatus (27.4%; 137/500), Rhipicephalus turanicus (11.6; 10/500), Rhipicephalus (boophilus) microplus (6.8; 20/500), Amblyomma hebraeum (2.2%; 11/500), Rhipicephalus sanguineus (1%; 5/500) and Hyalomma truncatum (0.6%; 3/500). Rhipicephalus evertsi evertsi occurred in all locations, whereas Hyalomma truncatum occurred only in the Boane district. Males were the most prevalent (67.2%; 336/500). The study revealed that donkeys in Maputo Province were infested with seven tick species of which R. evertsi evertsi was the main species.

     

Intestinal ciliated protozoa of African rhinoceros: two new genera and five new species from the white rhino (Ceratotherium simum Burchell, 1817)

This report represents the first published information on intestinal ciliated protozoa in the African white rhinoceros (Ceratotherium simum Burchell, 1817). Two new genera which do not relate to any known ciliated protozoa from the intestines of mammals and five new species are described. The ciliates were found in the colon of three of these free-living hindgut-fermenting grazers that were shot in widely spaced districts in southern Africa. Phalodinium digitalis n. gen., n. sp., Arachnodinium noveni n. gen., n. sp., Monoposthium vulgaris n. sp., M. bracchium n. sp., and M. latus n. sp. constituted between 1% and 10% of the total ciliate population (ca. 1 X 10(5)/ml digesta) in the ascending colon. Exceedingly small numbers were observed in the descending colon, indicating temporary accommodation only.     

Intestinal Ciliated Protozoa of African Rhinoceros: Two New Genera and Five New Species from the White Rhino (Ceratotherium simum Burchell, 1817)1

This report represents the first published information on intestinal ciliated protozoa in the African white rhinoceros (Ceratotherium simum Burchell, 1817). Two new genera which do not relate to any known ciliated protozoa from the intestines of mammals and five new species are described. The ciliates were found in the colon of three of these free-living hindgut-fermenting grazers that were shot in widely spaced districts in southern Africa. Phalodinium digitalis n. gen., n. sp., Arachnodinium noveni n. gen., n. sp., Monoposthium vulgaris n. sp., M. bracchium n. sp., and M. latus n. sp. constituted between 1% and 10% of the total ciliate population (ca. 1 × 10⁵/ml digesta) in the ascending colon. Exceedingly small numbers were observed in the descending colon, indicating temporary accommodation only.     

The site distribution of adult strongyle parasites in the large intestines of horses in tropical Australia

In a study of gastro-intestinal parasites occurring in 57 horses in north Queensland, the locations where adult strongyle parasites were found in the large intestines were recorded in order to determine the preferred sites of these parasites. Differences were noted in the intensity of infection between the three sections of the large intestines with the ventral colon being the most heavily infected and having the highest number of species, followed by the dorsal colon and the caecum. The distribution of the various strongyle species between these sections of the intestines was not random. Many species showed preferences for particular sections. Changes were noted in site preferences of some species. These changes were related to season but not the age, sex and breed of the animal, nor the environment in which the animals were kept. These seasonal changes are discussed in relation to the epidemiology of equine strongyle infections in the area. There seems to be no differences in the basic site preference behaviour between strongyle species occurring in horses in the tropics and those from the temperate regions.     

Cylicocyclus asini n. sp. (Nematoda: Cyathostominae) from donkeys Equus asinus in South Africa

Cylicocyclus asini n. sp. is described from the ventral colons of seven domesticated donkeys Equus asinus in South Africa. The specimens are smaller than 11 members of the genus Cylicocyclus, which currently comprises 10 recognised species, one recognised subspecies and two species inquirendae, but is similar in size to the two smaller species, C. ashworthi and C. leptostomum. Additionally, the small size of its buccal capsule places it within the so-called small buccal capsule group, namely C. ashworthi, C. leptostomum, C. nassatus, C. radiatus and C. triramosus. The shape of the oesophagus at the oesophago-intestinal junction is elongate, similar to that of C. leptostomum. The female specimens have a tail length shorter than the vulva to anus distance, similar to three of the smaller Cylicocyclus species, namely C. leptostomum, C. radiatus and C. triramosus. The new species is distinguished from the smaller members of the genus by the presence of a `club-foot' posterior in the female specimens, 40–46 elements in the external leaf-crown and a deep division of the dorsal ray which extends beyond the origin of the externodorsal ray. Similarly, the new species can be separated from the two other members in the genus with a `club-foot' posterior in the females (C. auriculatus and C. gyalocephaloides) by its body length (6.6–8.47 mm) and the presence of a nipple-like dorsal gutter.     

Metazoan parasite fauna of the bigeye flounder, Hippoglossina macrops, from Northern Chile. Influence of host age and sex.

The metazoan parasite fauna of Hippoglossina macrops (n = 123) from northern Chile (30 degrees S) is quantitatively described for the first time, and the role of host age and sex was evaluated. Twelve parasite species were recovered, including 5 ectoparasites (2 Monogenea, 2 Copepoda and 1 Piscicolidae) and 7 endoparasites (1 Digenea, 3 Cestoda, 2 Acanthocephala, and 1 Nematoda). The copepod Holobomolochus chilensis, the monogenean Neoheterobothrium sp., the adult acanthocephalan Floridosentis sp. and the hirudinean, Gliptonobdella sp. are new geographical and host records. The most prevalent ectoparasitic species were the monogenean, Neoheterobothrium sp. and the copepod, H. chilensis. Among endoparasites, the acanthocephalans Floridosentis sp. and Corynosoma australe were most prevalent and abundant. Prevalence and mean intensity of infection for most parasitic species were not affected by host sex, however the prevalence of Floridosentis sp. was significantly greater in males. Intensity of infection was positively correlated with host age for Neoheterobothrium sp., and negatively correlated for Floridosentis sp. and H. chilensis. The helminth species richness of the host H. macrops was lower compared to related flatfishes from the Northern Hemisphere. The relationship of the helminth fauna of H. macrops, its feeding habits and ecological habitats are discussed.     

Gastrointestinal helminths of ponies in Louisiana: a comparison of species currently prevalent with those present 20 years ago

A survey in Louisiana of gastrointestinal helminths recovered at necropsy from 117 ponies with minimal exposure to anthelmintics between 1989 and 2000 is compared with a survey conducted 20 yr earlier in the same region. An objective of this study was to determine whether species diversity has been affected by the advent and use of the macrocyclic lactone (ML) parasiticides and by the increased anthelmintic pressure on the helminth species infecting the general equine population. Twenty-six cyathostome species and 8 strongyle species were recovered. Two cyathostome species that were not found before, Cylicostephanus asymetricus and C. bidentatus, and 1 species of large strongyle, Oesophagodontus robustus, were added to the list of species found in Louisiana. All cyathostome and large strongyle species found previously were still present. But prevalences and intensities were significantly reduced for almost all large and small strongyle species. Prevalences and intensities of Oxyuris equi adults and larvae were reduced, whereas the prevalence of Parascaris equorum remained constant. The tapeworm Paranoplocephala mamillana was added to the list of parasite species found in Louisiana. Anoplocephala perfoliata remained the most common cestode. This species was found at the same level of intensity but increased slightly in prevalence. Anoplocephala magna was found less frequently than previously. The overall diversity of species remained reatively unchanged. The reasons for the differences in intensity and prevalence of strongyles between these 2 periods are unknown but might be related to the development and use of the broad-spectrum ML anthelmintics in the intervening period, a difference in the population of equids surveyed, different techniques used to identify the parasites, or differences in numbers of parasites identified (or to all).     

Nematodes found in Nile crocodiles in the Kruger National Park,South Africa,with redescriptions of Multicaecum agile (Wedl, 1861) (Heterocheilidae) and Camallanus kaapstaadi Southwell & Kirshner, 1937 (Camallanidae)

Sixteen Nile crocodiles were collected in the Kruger National Park, South Africa and vicinity during 2010 and 2011. A total of 11 nematode species representing six families were recovered. Heterocheilids were the dominant group, comprising five species, with Dujardinascaris madagascariensis (Chabaud & Caballero, 1966) being the most prevalent (75%), followed by Ingwenascaris sprenti Junker & Mutafchiev, 2017 (68.8%), which was also the second most numerous nematode. While less prevalent (31.3%), Typhlophoros kwenae Junker & Mutafchiev, 2017 was the most abundant species. Micropleura huchzermeyeri Junker & Mutafchiev, 2017 (Micropleuridae) was collected from five crocodiles and Crocodylocapillaria sp. (Capillariidae) occurred in a single host. Three nematodes, Camallanus kaapstaadi Southwell & Kirshner, 1937, Spirocamallanus sp. (both Camallanidae) and Ascarophis sp. (Cystidicolidae), are considered accidental infections, likely ingested with the hosts’ prey. Our findings of D. dujardini (Travassos, 1920), D. madagascariensis and Multicaecum agile (Wedl, 1861) in South Africa constitute new geographical records. Crocodylocapillaria sp. represents a new host and geographical record, while T. kwenae, I. sprenti and M. huchzermeyeri have been described as new species during the course of this survey. Multicaecum agile is here redescribed based on light and scanning electron microscopy. Previously undescribed morphological characters of C. kaapstaadi, typically a parasite of Xenopus spp. (Amphibia: Pipidae), but here found in two Nile crocodiles, are also presented.

     

Allele-specific PCR for the beta-tubulin codon 200 TTC/TAC polymorphism using single adult and larval small strongyle (Cyathostominae) stages

It has been shown that benzimidazole (BZ) resistance in sheep gastrointestinal nematodes is linked with an increase in beta-tubulin codon 200 tyrosine-expressing alleles in the resistant parasite populations. Here, an allele-specific PCR has been developed for the discrimination of the TAC/TTC polymorphism in the beta-tubulin 200 codon of small strongyles. One reverse primer was used in 2 separate amplifications with 1 of 2 forward primers that differed only in their final 3' nucleotide. The primers flank a facultative intron/exon. Therefore, the amplified fragments are either 251 or 308 bp in size, depending on the presence or absence of the intron in individual worms. Amplification of genomic DNA isolated from single adult small strongyles from a set of 7 species consistently generated allele-specific products. Three worms each of the following species were used: Cylicocyclus nassatus, Cylicocyclus insigne, Cylicocyclus elongatus, Cylicocyclus radiatus, Cyathostomum pateratum, Cyathostomum catinatum, and Cyathostomum coronatum. PCR with DNA isolated from single larvae also reproducibly generated specific fragments. This method might be applied for the future assessment of allele frequencies in susceptible and resistant populations to further investigate the mechanism of BZ-resistance in small strongyles.     

Ecology of the gastrointestinal parasites of Colobus vellerosus at Boabeng‐Fiema,Ghana: Possible anthropozoonotic transmission

Parasite richness and prevalence in wild animals can be used as indicators of population and ecosystem health. In this study, the gastrointestinal parasites of ursine colobus monkeys (Colobus vellerosus) at the Boabeng‐Fiema Monkey Sanctuary (BFMS), Ghana, were investigated. BFMS is a sacred grove where monkeys and humans have long lived in relatively peaceful proximity. Fecal samples (n = 109) were collected opportunistically from >27 adult and subadult males in six bisexual groups and one all‐male band from July 2004 to August 2005. Using fecal floatation, we detected three protozoans (two Entamoeba sp., Isospora sp.), five nematodes (Ascaris sp., Enterobius sp., Trichuris sp., two strongyle sp.), and one digenean trematode. Using fluorescein labeled antibodies, we detected an additional protozoan (Giardia sp.), and with PCR techniques, we characterized this as G. duodenalis Assemblage B and also identified a protistan (Blastocystis sp., subtype 2). The most prevalent parasite species were G. duodenalis and Trichuris sp. Parasites were more prevalent in the long wet season than the long dry. Parasite prevalence did not vary by age, and average parasite richness did not differ by rank for males whose status remained unchanged. However, males that changed rank tended to show higher average parasite richness when they were lower ranked. Individuals that spent more time near human settlements had a higher prevalence of Isospora sp. that morphologically resembled the human species I. belli. The presence of this parasite and G. duodenalis Assemblage B indicates possible anthropozoonotic and/or zoonotic transmission between humans and colobus monkeys at this site. Am J Phys Anthropol, 2009. © 2009 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.     

Bloodmeal analysis in Culicoides midges collected near horses,donkeys and zebras in the Eastern Cape,South Africa

An upsurge in African horse sickness (AHS) in the Eastern Cape, South Africa, from 2006 led to an epidemiological reassessment of the disease there. Light trapping surveys carried out near horses, donkeys and zebras in 2014–2016 collected 39 species of Culicoides midge (Diptera: Ceratopogonidae) that are potential vectors of AHS. To establish if these midges fed on equids, DNA sequences were obtained from the gut contents of 52 female midges (35 freshly blood‐fed, 13 gravid and four parous), representing 11 species collected across 11 sites. Culicoides leucostictus fed on all three equids. Culicoides bolitinos, Culicoides imicola and Culicoides magnus fed on both horses and donkeys. Culicoides onderstepoortensis fed on donkeys, and Culicoides similis and Culicoides pycnostictus fed on zebras. Bloodmeals from cows, pigs, warthogs, impalas and a domestic dog were also identified in various species, but none of the midges tested had fed on birds. These results contribute to knowledge of the vectorial capacity of several species of Culicoides with regard to AHS in the Eastern Cape and point to potential reservoir hosts, of which donkeys, zebras and domestic dogs have previously been found to harbour AHS. Blood‐fed midges were also obtained throughout winter, indicating the potential for endemic AHS in the province.