First Report of Gastrointestinal Parasites from Ansell's Mole-Rat (Fukomys anselli) in Zambia

Abstract

The endoparasite fauna of Ansell's mole-rat, Fukomys anselli (Burda, Zima, Scharff, Macholán and Kawalika) (Rodentia, Bathyergidae), was studied for the first time near Lusaka, Zambia. We recovered 7 endoparasite taxa including 5 nematodes ( Hexametra sp.; Protospirura numidica Seurat, 1914; Protospirura muricola Gedoelst, 1916; Protospirura sp.; and Mammalakis zambiensis Junker, Lutermann and Mutafchiev, 2017 ); and 2 cestodes ( Inermicapsifer sp. and Rodentolepis cf. microstoma Dujardin, 1845) from 272 individuals sampled between February 2009 and February 2010. Species richness (0-2), prevalence (14.7%), and abundance (0.44 ± 0.10) were low, probably as a result of the subterranean lifestyle of the study species. Although effect of host sex on helminth burden was largely absent, helminth burden varied with season and breeding status of the host. This may be a result of seasonal variation in burrow size in response to rainfall, but also the division of labor present in the study species.

Helminth and protozoan parasites of subterranean rodents (Chordata, Mammalia, Rodentia) of the world

“… Lutermann et al (2018) reported the following gastrointestinal parasites from Ansell’s mole-rat, F. anselli in Zambia. Those include Hexametra sp.…”

“…Junker et al (2017) described a new species of ascaridid nematode, Mammalakis zambiensis acquired from the large intestine and cecum of Ansell's mole-rat, Fukomys anselli (Burda et al, 1999), captured from west of Lusaka at Mukulaikwa Farm Block, Zambia. Lutermann et al (2018) reported the following gastrointestinal parasites from Ansell's mole-rat, F. anselli in Zambia. Those include Hexametra sp.…”