Prevalence of Gastrointestinal Helminthic Infections in Black Bucks (Antilope cervicapra) of Tal Chhapar Sanctuary of Rajasthan Chouhan A.K., Pilania P.K., Monika*, Rathore Bhavana, Gupta Abhishek, Sodha D.B., Pateer D.P. Department of Veterinary Parasitology, College of Veterinary and Animal Science, Rajasthan University of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, Bikaner-334 001, Rajasthan, India. *Corresponding Author: Monika, Department of Veterinary Parasitology, College of Veterinary and Animal Science, Rajasthan University of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, Bikaner-334 001, Rajasthan, India, Email: drmoni23392@gmail.com
Online Published on 02 September, 2022. Abstract Background Blackbuck is the most elegant member of the antelope family has long been associated with Indian culture. Wildlife parasitic diseases represent an important field of investigation as they may have a significant impact on wild animal health and are responsible for one-third of total losses due to all animal diseases. Adequate information on epidemiology of helminthic infections is a crucial requirement for the sustainable control of GIH in black bucks in near future. Methods A total of 632 faecal samples were collected from Tal-Chhapar Sanctuary of Rajasthan during summer, rainy and winter season from November 2018 to September 2019 and examined qualitatively by faecal floatation and sedimentation techniques for helminth eggs and quantitatively by modified McMaster egg counting technique. Result Coprological examination of samples revealed an overall prevalence of 72.46% for gastrointestinal helminths (GIH) with a mixed infection of 38.92%. Among different helminths recorded with their respective prevalences (%) were, Strongyle (56.80%), Strongyloides sp. (40.98%), Trichuris sp. (8.22%), Marshallagia sp. (6.64%) and Ascaris sp. (5.22%). Quantitative analysis revealed egg per gram of faeces ranging from 200–1200 and 200–900 with an average of 561.11±67.74 and 469.23±62.50 for strongyle and Strongyloides sp., respectively. Statistical analysis using multivariate binary logistic regression model revealed highly significant difference (P<0.01) in the prevalence of GIH infection among different seasons. The coproculture study revealed Bunostomum sp. (42%) as the major contributor of strongyle nematode population, followed by Haemonchus sp. (31%), Trichostrongylus sp. (26%) and Strongyloides sp. (1%). Top Keywords Antilope cervicapra, Gastrointestinal helminths, Prevalence, Rajasthan, Tal chhapar sanctuary, Wildlife. Top |