PDF《kafuensis) in the Kafue basin》

SHORT REPORT Open Access Investigating effects of parasite infection on body condition of the Kafue lechwe (Kobus leche kafuensis) in the Kafue basin Musso Munyeme1 , Hetron M Munang'

andu2* , John B Muma1 , Andrew M Nambota1 , Demelash Biffa3 , Victor M Siamudaala4 Abstract Background: The Kafue lechwe (Kobus leche Kafuensis), a medium-sized semi-aquatic antelope, is endemic to the Kafue basin of Zambia.

The population of the Kafue lechwe has significantly dropped in the last decades leading to its subsequent inclusion on the red list of endangered species. In order to save the remaining population from extinction, it has become increasingly important that the impact of parasite infection and infestation on the Kafue lechwe is investigated. Findings: Endoparasites accounted for the majority of parasites observed from a study of

40 Kafue lechwe occurring in the the Kafue basin. Amphistoma spp. were present in all animals examined, while Fasciola gigantica had a prevalence rate of 0.525 (95% CI: 0.36 to 0.69) and species of Schistosoma 0.3 (95% CI: 0.15 to 0.45). Among the ectoparasites, Strobiloestrous vanzyli, had a prevalence rate of 0.15 (95% CI: 0.03 to 0.27), while Rhipicephalus appendiculatus had a prevalence of 0.075 (3/40). Our findings indicate that body condition was not influenced by the parasitic infestation in Kafue lechwe. There was no association between sex and parasitic burden (odds ratio = 0.3, 95% CI: 0.8-1.3). However, an association between age and parasitic burden was observed as older animals above

15 years were more likely to get parasite infections than those aged between 1-5 years (odds ratio = 1.5, 95% CI: 1.1-2.4). Conclusion: Overall, there was no evidence that parasitic infections and infestations adversely affected the lechwe population on the Kafue basin. These findings indicate that ecto- and endo-parasite infestation might not play a significant role in reducing the Kafue lechwe population on the Kafue basin. Background The Kafue lechwe antelope (Kobus leche kafuensis) is the predominant wildlife species of the Kafue basin. These antelopes are lek-breeders and share their habitat with other wild and domestic species. They are semi- aquatic and medium sized antelopes that live in large groups close to water bodies or marsh places [1]. The lechwe population on the Kafue basin has steadily declined from an estimated 80,000 in

1975 to 41,000 in

2001 [2,3] leading to its recent inclusion on the IUCN Red list of threatened species [4]. This has led the Zambia wildlife Authority (ZAWA) to embark on con- servation programs aimed at saving the remaining popu- lation from going into extinct. In order to achieve this, it has become increasingly important to investigate all potential factors likely to contribute to the decline of the Kafue lechwe population. The Kafue basin ecosystem harbors various species of ecto- and endo parasites that infest both wild and domestic animals [5-7]. Studies by Kampamba [8] and Kapungwe [3] indicate that ecological changes and ani- mal diseases are the major factors reducing the Kafue lechwe population in the Kafue basin. Gallagher et al [9] estimated that parasitic diseases accounted for approxi- mately 14% annual mortality of the lechwe population each year and formed a major factor limiting population growth. Previous studies have focused on identifying the * Correspondence: [email protected]

2 Norwegian School of Veterinary Sciences, Department of Basic Sciences and Aquatic Medicine, Section of Aquatic Medicine and Nutrition, Ullevalsveien 72, P.O. Box