Rumen protozoal diversity in the Spanish ibex (Capra pyrenaica hispanica) as compared with domestic goats (Capra hircus)

Rumen protozoal diversity in the Spanish ibex (SI) was studied in males (n=4), females (n=7) and young (n=4) from the Maestrazgo (Spain) and contrasted with domestic goats (n=3; DG) of the same region. There were no differences among SI types in protozoal concentration or in the number of protozoal species. Only protozoa from the genus Entodinium were observed in SI (seven species), the highest numbers corresponding to E. damae, E. ovibos and E. parvum. DG harboured threefold more species than SI. Nine to 10 Entodinium spp. were observed, but E. ovibos was absent from the rumen of DG, and E. damae was in only one animal. E. caudatum (caudatum, dubardi and lobospinosum morphotypes) occurred in the highest percentage, and E. dubardi, E. exiguum and E. parvum were quite abundant. Four genera of the subfamily Diplodiniinae and the genera Isotricha and Dasytricha from the family Isotrichidae were detected in DG. Epidinium (two DG) and Ophryoscolex (one DG) were also observed. Denaturing gradient gel electrophoresis analysis agreed with microscopic classification, showing up to 8 and 16 bands in SI and DG samples, respectively. The three DG clustered together (similarity index over 0.84), and separately from SI (similarity index over 0.86), with only 0.58 similarity between host species.