Parasitic infection in blackbuck (Antilope cervicapra Linnaeus, 1758) of Blackbuck Conservation Area, Bardiya and Shuklaphanta Wildlife Reserve, Kanchanpur, Western Nepal

Abstract

Blackbuck (Antilope cervicapra) is Near Threatened species which are conserved in blackbuck Conservation Area (BCA), Khairapur, Bardiya and Shuklaphanta Wildlife Reserve (SWR), Kanchanpur district. The present study was conducted to determine the parasitic infection in blackbuck of BCA and SWR. A total of 150 and 70 fresh faecal samples of blackbuck were collected from BCA and SWR respectively and examined by floatation, sedimentation and Stoll's counting technique. The overall prevalence of GI parasites was found to be 90.00%. The protozoan and helminthic parasitic prevalence revealed 55% and 89% respectively in both the study area. Blackbuck of BCA were found to be infected with 12 different species of parasites which includes Entamoeba sp. (20%) and Eimeria sp. (45.33%) among protozoa; Paramphistomum sp. (25.33%) and Fasciola sp. (17.33%) among trematodes; Moniezia sp. (14%) among cestode; Trichostrongylus sp. (75.33%), Ascaris sp. (57.33%), Haemonchus sp. (18%), Strongyloides sp. (16%), Bunostomum sp. (12.67%), Trichuris sp. (6%) and Oxyuris sp. (4.67%) among nematodes; while blackbuck of SWR were found to be infected with 10 different parasitic genera, i.e. Entamoeba sp. (8.57%) and Eimeria sp. (51.43%) among protozoa; Paramphistomum sp. (38.57%), Fasciola sp. (21.43%) and Schistosoma sp. (7.14%) among trematodes; Trichostrongylus sp. (55.71%), Ascaris sp. (38.57%), Haemonchus sp. (14.28%), Strongyloides sp. (12.86%) and Bunostomum sp. (2.86%) among nematodes. The present findings provide some baseline information on the parasitic burden in Blackbuck and help to formulate appropriate strategies to mitigate the endoparasitic problem of blackbuck in SWR and BCA.

Eimeria sp. Infection in Black Bucks (Antilope cervicapra) of Tal Chhapar Sanctuary of Rajasthan

“…Eimeria sp. oocysts with and without micropyle cap has been detected during present study which is consistent to the findings of Chaudhary and Maharjan (2017). Due to coccidiosis, the infected hosts generally exhibit loss of appetite, weakness, diarrhoea, particularly in fawns than the adults, resulting in the compromised immune system (Ghimire et al, 2008) indicating its high impact on the survival of blackbucks.…”

“…In contrast, higher prevalence have been reported in various wild and captive ruminants including Blackbucks from Punjab (Mir et al, 2016)whereas, a lower prevalence was recorded by Singh et al, (2009) from Bhopal, Madhya Pradesh and Pilania et al, (2014) from Bikaner, Rajasthan. Higher prevalence by Debenham et al, (2016), Chaudhary and Maharjan (2017) and Cao et al, (2019) has been recorded from Tanzania, Nepal and China, respectively. However, the variations regarding prevalence in various studies can most likely be attributed to difference in number and distribution of animals and variation in topography and climatic factors (Das et al, 2018).…”

Biology and Ecological Adaptations of Blackbuck (Antilope Cervicapra): A Review

“…An overall, 90% gastro-intestinal parasite while 55 and 89% protozoan and helminthic prevalence was found at study area. The results of our work provided baseline information regarding the presence of parasitic infections in Blackbuck and to design the suitable policies to control parasitic problems (Chaudhary and Mahendra 2017). Another study conducted in Pakistan to find diversity analysis of Antilope cervicapra in which fecal samples were collected from different locations and territories.…”

Population Status, Distribution, Threats and Conservation of Blackbuck Antilope cervicapra in South Asia: An Updated Literature Review

“…Paramphistomum, Strongyles, Ascaris and Coccidia were most prevalent parasites of animals grazing in Blackbuck habitat and protected areas (khanal and Chalise 2011) Chaudhary and Maharjan (2017). found Entamoeba and Eimeria among protozoans, Paramphistomum and Fasciola among trematodes, Moniezia among cestodes, and Trichostrongylus, Ascaris, Haemonchus, Strongyloides, Bunostomum, Trichuris and Oxyuris among nematodes in Blackbuck.…”