Morphology and morphometry of adult nematodes on Sumatran elephants (Elephas maximus sumatranus) in Way Kambas National Park area, Indonesia

Abstract

Background and Aim: Worms from nematodes are the most numerous and the most detrimental in elephants. Most adult worms are located in the digestive tract. Nematode infection is at higher risk in young elephants, which caused several cases such as anemia, hypoalbuminemia, enteritis, and even death. This study aimed to determine the morphology and morphometry of adult nematodes on Sumatran elephants in Way Kambas National Park area. Materials and Methods: Nematode samples were obtained from Sumatran elephants' feces (Elephas maximus sumatranus) in Way Kambas National Park, Lampung Province, after being given Kalbazen® containing albendazole 1000 mg at a dose of 10 mg/kg by the veterinarian in charge of the National Park area. For the morphological and morphometric examinations, we used an Olympus BX 51 microscope equipped with Olympus DP 12 camera and were conducted at the Parasitology Laboratory, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Universitas Gadjah Mada. The scanning electron microscopic (SEM) analysis was carried out at the Biology Research Center of the Indonesian Institute of Sciences (Lembaga Ilmu Pengetahuan Indonesia). Results: The results of macroscopic observations of the obtained nematodes showed that the nematodes which were found have the characteristics of round, slim, and white color. The size of a female worm was larger than a male worm. Microscopic examination in four anterior papillae indicated that the dorsal lobe in the copulatory bursa was longer than lateral lobe. The result of inspection with the SEM showed a leaf crown consisting of 10 elements, a pair of amphids laterally, and two pairs of papilla in a submedian region. Conclusion: Based on our morphology and morphometry examinations of adult nematodes in Sumatran elephant (E. maximus sumatranus) in Way Kambas National Park area, the adult nematodes which were found are species of Quilonia travancra.

Scanning electron microscopy of Quilonia renniei from Asian elephants revealing variation in coronal leaflet number

“…To determine the precise number of coronal leaflets for these parasites, further investigations of the mouth structure of adult worms by SEM or advanced methods are required. In this regard, the consistency of ten coronal leaflets based on LM and SEM observations has been reported for Q. travancra derived from Asian elephants in Sumatra, Indonesia (Prahardani et al ., 2019).…”

Investigation of Trypanosoma evansi in Sumatran Elephant (Elephas maximus sumatranus) in Indonesia Using Various Methods

“…In the study area, livestock and wildlife live together nearby, as in several other conservation areas in Indonesia. Several buffaloes were often seen grazing together with elephants during the dry season in Way Kambas National Park (Purnamasari et al, 2021). Moreover, the presence of blood-sucking flies around the elephant camps, notably, Tabanus sp., increases the risk of transmission (Kuncoro et al, 2017).…”

Gastrointestinal Parasites in Asian and African Elephants: A Systematic Review

“…Morphological and morphometry identifications were suggested to specifically determine the species of GIT helminths using the light microscope and scanning electron microscope (SEM; Prahardani et al, 2019). The identification of nematode species is possible by observing the mouth, leaf crown, collar, buccal capsule, papilla, oesophagus, vulva, anus, tail, speculum, and bursa copulatrix (Chel et al, 2020).…”