Helminths in dogs from a peri-urban resource-limited community in Free State Province,South Africa

This study focused on the helminth parasites of dogs in the Bloemfontein area of the Free State Province of South Africa. Samples were collected from 63 stray dogs destined for euthanasia. Complete sets of samples, consisting of blood, faeces, adhesive tape swabs and organs (heart, lungs and complete gastro-intestinal tract) from each dog were examined for helminth parasites. Dipylidium caninum was the most common helminth, and was recovered from 44% of dogs, followed by Taenia spp. (33%), Toxascaris leonina (32%), Ancylostoma caninum (27%), Toxocara canis (21%), Ancylostoma braziliense (19%), Spirocerca lupi (13%) and Joyeuxiella sp. (5%). Although human infection with S. lupi and Joyeuxiella sp. are unlikely, all the other helminths reported in this study are zoonotic, and therefore pose a threat to community health in Bloemfontein.     

Secondary succession in the Mopani veld of the Limpopo Valley,South Africa

The long-term establishment sequences of the herbaceous and woody component of the Mopani veld of the Limpopo Valley were studied and documented. Based on vegetation surveys conducted at three enclosed sites at the Messina Experimental Farm during the period 1964 to 2001, no clear fixed grass species establishment sequence was observed. The classic plant succession model of the grass component, as usually found in other veld types, is absent in Mopani veld of the Limpopo Valley. Shallow, nutrient poor, gravelly, severely eroded soils with low moisture retention and a high runoff rate are mainly colonised by annual grasses and forbs. Perennial grasses take long to establish. This results in an unstable herbaceous component that is vulnerable to changes, which in turn depends on the erratic availability of soil moisture. Where the woody component is concerned, eight tree species appeared to be early colonisers, five intermediate colonisers and seven late colonisers. Tree numbers increased at sites with deeper soils, indicating that bush encroachment is a general, natural process that occurs irrespective of rest treatments applied to the herbaceous component. At a site with an extremely shallow soil, bush density decreased, suggesting that the bush encroachment process in the Limpopo Valley is much more affected by soil and climate than in other veld types and climatic zones of the Limpopo Province.     

Estimation of Genetic Parameters and Variance Components for Growth Traits of Nguni Cattle in Limpopo Province,South Africa

Estimates of (co)variance and genetic parameters of birth, weaning (205 days) and yearling (365 days) weight were obtained using single-trait animal models. The data were analysed by restricted maximum likelihood, fitting an animal model that included direct and maternal genetic and permanent environmental effects. The data included records collected between 1976 and 2001. The pedigree information extended as far back as early 1960s. The heritabilities for direct effects of birth, weaning and yearling weights were 0.36, 0.29 and 0.25, respectively. Heritability estimates for maternal effects were 0.13, 0.16 and 0.15 for birth, weaning and yearling weights, respectively. The correlations between direct and maternal additive genetic effects were negative for all traits analysed. The results indicate that both direct and maternal effects should be included in a selection programme for all the traits analysed.     

Ticks on crested francolins, Francolinus sephaena, and on the vegetation on a farm in Limpopo Province, South Africa

Ticks were collected at approximately bi-monthly intervals between June 1996 and June 1997 from crested francolins, Francolinus sephaena, and from the vegetation on a mixed cattle and wildlife farm in Limpopo Province, South Africa. The birds were infested with the immature stages of 13 tick species, of which Amblyomma hebraeum, Amblyomma marmoreum and Hyalomma marginatum rufipes were the most numerous and prevalent. Ten ixodid tick species were collected from the vegetation, of which the immature stages of Rhipicephalus appendiculatus, Rhipicephalus (Boophilus) decoloratus and Rhipicephalus evertsi evertsi were the most numerous. No adult ticks were collected from the birds and only two from the vegetation. The restricted home range of crested francolins implies that they could serve as a source of tick infestation only for other animals within the same habitat as the birds.     

A survey of free-living ixodid ticks on a commercial game farm in the Thabazimbi District, Limpopo Province, South Africa

Free-living stages of ticks on a commercial game farm in the Thabazimbi District, Limpopo Province, South Africa, were collected by drag-sampling with flannel strips during the period September 2003 to August 2004. A total of 5 tick species was collected from 4 sites. Boophilus decoloratus was the most abundant species, followed by Amblyomma hebraeum. Seasonal abundance of the ticks was quantified and an optimum time to implement control measures against the ticks is proposed.     

Effect of agro-ecological zone,season of birth and sex on pre-weaning performance of Nguni calves in Limpopo Province,South Africa

The study was conducted to determine the effect of agro-ecological zone, season of birth and sex on Nguni calves’ pre-weaning performance. Production indices such as birth weight (BW), weaning weight (WW), pre-weaning average daily gain (P-ADG) and pre-weaning gain (P-WG) were assessed in the different agro-ecological zones. Herd records on performance of 826 Nguni calves’ from nine Nguni herds representing different agro-ecological zones: arid zone (n?=?217); semi-arid zone (n?=?296); dry sub-humid zone (n?=?118) and humid zone (n?=?195) were used for the analysis of pre-weaning calf performance. General linear model (GLM) procedure of SAS (2013) was used to analyse data, whereas mean separation was conducted using Tukey’s HSD test. Agro-ecological zone had a great influence (P?<?0.01) on performance levels arising from pasture conditions which were dependent on rain, temperature, topography and soil type. Fluctuations in WW, P-ADG and P-WG performance across agro-ecological zones depicted the sensitivity of Nguni calves’ to postnatal stress. Calves’ in humid zone had higher performance with 121.21 kg for WW, 96.83 kg for P-WG and 0.477 kg/day for P-ADG. The lowest WW (114.51 kg), P-WG (89.98 kg) and P-ADG (0.438 kg/day) were observed in arid zone. Male calves were heavier at weaning (128.18 kg), P-ADG (0.503 kg/day) and total gain (103.03 kg); however, similar BW of 25 kg was observed for both male and female calves. Season had a significant (P?<?0.05) effect on BW, P-ADG and P-WG. The P-ADG was 0.461 kg/day for calves born in summer and 0.449 kg/day for calves born in winter season. Calves born in summer gained 94.69 kg and calves born in winter gained 92.10 kg. Summer calves gained 2.59 kg more than winter calves. Summer heifer calves performed poorly whilst summer male calves outperformed heifer calves in terms of WW, P-WG and P-ADG. Pre-weaned calves in humid zone outperformed all calves in other agro-ecological zones. It was concluded that acceptable levels of growth are achievable from Nguni cattle under the different agro-ecological zones of Limpopo province, South Africa.

     

Limitations and prospects of improving beef cattle production in the smallholder sector: a case of Limpopo Province,South Africa

Tropical Animal Health and Production - The opportunity for the smallholder beef farming system to support the growth of South Africa’s livestock industry is untapped. Slow growth of the...     

The leaf-litter earthworm fauna (Annelida: Oligochaeta) of forests in Limpopo Province,South Africa: diversity,communities and conservation

A qualitative survey of the leaf-litter earthworm fauna of 11 selected indigenous forests in Limpopo Province, South Africa, was conducted to identify the species present, to describe the communities and to assess the relationship between indigenous and exotic species. A total of 8185 individuals from 17 species (five indigenous and 12 exotic species) were recorded. The average earthworm community comprised fewer than five species, but up to seven species were sampled from a single forest. Four of the species recorded are national (one species), regional (one species) or local (two species) endemics. Because these species are not known to live elsewhere, the protection of Limpopo Province forests is critical to their survival. The majority (71%) of the earthworm species sampled was exotic, and differences between exotic and indigenous species richness in forests were mostly significant. At the two spatial scales examined (20 m2 and individual forest) there is no evidence of an association between exotic and indigenous species richness. However, we cannot assume that exotic earthworms do not impact the forest ecosystem.     

Mediorhynchus gallinarum (Acanthocephala: Gigantorhynchidae) in Helmeted guineafowls, Numida meleagris, in the Kruger National Park, South Africa

Mediorhynchus gallinarum was recovered from the small intestines of 36 of 50 Helmeted guineafowls sampled from August 1988 to May 1989. The intensity of infection ranged from 1-141 worms per host, with a mean intensity of 23.2 (+/- 34) and a median intensity of 5. The Wilcoxon-Mann-Whitney test revealed no significant differences between the mean worm burdens of male and female birds at the 5% level (P > 0.05). Slightly more female than male acanthocephalans were collected. The majority (63.4%) of females had eggs with fully-developed embryos, 9% had immature eggs, 21.2% had no eggs and the egg status of 6.4% could not be determined. No seasonal pattern of intensity of infection emerged from the data, but worm burdens were markedly higher after good rains in February 1989. South Africa constitutes a new geographic record for M. gallinarum.     

Helminths in dogs belonging to people in a resource-limited urban community in Gauteng, South Africa

One hundred and sixty-four faecal samples, 148 adhesive tape swabs and 132 blood samples were collected from dogs in Boksburg, Gauteng, to assess the prevalence of helminth parasites in the area. Sixty-nine of these dogs were also necropsied and helminths recovered from the gastro-intestinal tracts. Ancylostoma caninum was the most common helminth and was present in 88% of the dogs, followed by Dipylidium caninum in 39% of dogs, Toxocara canis in 36%, Ancylostoma braziliense in 20%, Spirocerca lupi in 14%, Toxascaris leonina in 9%, Trichuris vulpis in 6%, Joyeuxiella pascualei in 6% and Taenia spp. in 4%. Microfilariae of Dipetalonema reconditum were found in 2% of the blood samples. The results of this study extend the geographic distribution of T. vulpis. With the exception of Spirocerca and Dipetalonema, all these helminths are potentially zoonotic, and may pose a threat to community health.     

Metal accumulation in House Sparrow (Passer domesticus) from Thohoyandou,Limpopo province,South Africa

Studies on metal pollution (cadmium, cobalt, chromium, copper, manganese and nickel) in South African terrestrial environments are severely lacking. Due to being relatively unaffected by industrialisation, the Thohoyandou region may provide data on natural levels of metals for use as baseline data. The House Sparrow (Passer domesticus) was chosen as a bio-indicator of metal pollution due to its abundance, non-migratory lifestyle and close association with humans. The aims were to determine the viability of using feathers as a non-lethal bio-indicator tissue compared with muscle. Plume feathers, flight feathers and muscle tissue were analysed using ICP-OES techniques. Analyses of tissue metal concentrations identified the following trend: plume feather > flight feather > muscle tissue. Within the Thohoyandou region, Magondi, which was affected by anthropogenic activities at the time of sampling, had significantly higher concentrations (p ≤ 0.05) for each of the metals, indicating potential metal contamination from various sources. Alternatively, Makonde had the lowest metal concentrations and may be an important reference site for future comparative studies. The results showed that the House Sparrow can be used as a bio-indicator organism in South African terrestrial environments. The plume feathers indicate that they are a good non-lethal tissue for determining metal pollution levels on a temporal scale, indicating recent metal exposure.     

Seroprevalence of Babesia bovis and Babesia bigemina in cattle in the Soutpansberg region, Limpopo Province, South Africa, associated with changes in vector-tick populations

A survey was conducted at 30 communal dip tanks and on 5 commercial farms in Limpopo Province, South Africa, during 1999 and 2000 to determine the seroprevalence of antibodies to Babesia bovis and Babesia bigemina. Cattle seropositive for B. bovis were found in 97% of the herds on communal land; the overall seroprevalence changed little between 1999 (63.3%) and 2000 (62.4%). All herds surveyed were infected with B. bigemina, and overall seroprevalence decreased significantly from 56.1% in 1999 to 49.3% in 2000. In herds on communal land in Sour Lowveld Bushveld, overall seroprevalence of B. bovis increased from 70% in 1999 to 80% in 2000, while seroprevalence of B. bigemina decreased from 70% in 1999 to 30% in 2000. This was possibly due to an influx of Rhipicephalus (Boophilus) microplus that occurred at the time. In commercially farmed herds the seroprevalence to B. bovis increased significantly from 19% in 1999 to 57.5% in 2000. All commercial herds in the survey tested positive to B. bigemina, with a seroprevalence of 48.3% in 1999 and 47.5% in 2000. During 1999, cattle in 60% of the dip tank/farm herds with only R. (B.) microplus present were approaching endemic stability to both B. bovis and B. bigemina. In 2000, 60% of the herds with only R. (B.) microplus present were approaching endemic stability for B. bovis, while only 45% were approaching endemic stability for B. bigemina. Those dip tanks/farms where only R. (B.) microplus was recorded had a significantly higher seroprevalence of B. bovis than those where both tick species were present.     

Parasites of South African wildlife. II. Helminths of kudu, tragelaphus strepsiceros, from South West Africa/Namibia

A total of 23 kudu, Tragelaphus strepsiceros, were shot at 2-month intervals from June 1983 to April 1984 in the Etosha Game Reserve in the north of South West Africa/Namibia. The parasite survey conducted on these animals yielded 2 cestode and 12 nematode species. Haemonchus vegliai and Cooperia neitzi were the most prevalent nematodes and occurred in 13 animals each, followed by Cooperia acutispiculum and an Onchocerca sp. (9 animals each). The remaining nematodes were present in 4 (17%) or fewer of the antelope. C. neitzi was the most numerous nematode, a total of 3,564 being recovered from all the antelope, followed by C. acutispiculum (2,552) and H. vegliai (1,050). Individual total worm burdens varied from 4-1,326 with 2 kudu harbouring no worms. The mean burden of 399 worms was considered negligible. A single kudu was shot in the Namib-Naukluft Park in the south of the country. This animal harboured no parasites.     

Parasites of domestic and wild animals in South Africa. XXVII. Ticks on helmeted guineafowls in the eastern Cape Province and eastern Transvaal Lowveld

Seventy-six helmeted guineafowls (Numida meleagris) were shot in the Andries Vosloo Kudu Reserve and on an adjacent farm in the eastern Cape Province during the period May 1985 to January 1987 and their tick burdens determined. A total of 10 ixodid tick species were recovered, of which Amblyomma hebraeum, Amblyomma marmoreum and Haemaphysalis silacea were the most abundant. The seasonal abundances of these 3 species and of Hyalomma marginatum rufipes were ascertained. A marked difference between the total number of A. hebraeum recovered from the birds in the reserve and those on the farm is ascribed to the treatment of domestic stock on the farm with an acaricide. The tick burdens of 118 helmeted guineafowls, shot in the southern part of the Kruger National Park, eastern Transvaal Lowveld, from August 1988 to August 1990, were also determined. Ten ixodid tick species and the larvae of an argasid species were recovered. A. hebraeum, A. marmoreum and the Argas sp. were the most abundant and their seasonal abundances and that of Rhipicephalus zambeziensis were determined. Only 2 of the 54,659 ixodid ticks recovered from the birds at the 3 localities were adults and the presence of these is ascribed to accidental infestations.     

Risk factors associated with occurrence of anthelmintic resistance in sheep of resource-poor farmers in Limpopo province,South Africa

Tropical Animal Health and Production - Anthelmintic treatment is the most common way of controlling nematode infections in ruminants even though several countries have reported anthelmintic...     

Parasites of domestic and wild animals in South Africa. X. Helminths in impala

Two to four impala in the Nylsvley Nature Reserve were culled each month from February 1975-February 1976. Two trematode species, 1 cestode species and 13 species of nematodes were recovered from these antelope. Of these, Fasciola gigantica, Gongylonema pulchrum, Haemonchus placei and Trichostrongylus falculatus are new records for impala. In general, H. placei, Longistrongylus sabie and Impalaia tuberculata exhibited a similar pattern of seasonal occurrence. Adult worms were present during November-February, while marked inhibition in the development of large numbers of 4th stage larvae occurred from April-September or October. Cooperia hungi, Cooperioides hamiltoni and Cooperloides hepaticae followed a similar pattern, but inhibition in the 4th larval stage was not as marked and lasted from June-September. No seasonal pattern of prevalence could be determined for Trichostrongylus spp. The worm burdens of young impala increased with the age of the animals and reached a peak when the impala were 1 year old.     

Parasites of domestic and wild animals in South Africa. XLII. Helminths of sheep on four farms in the Eastern Cape Province

At monthly intervals for periods ranging from 9 to 25 consecutive months between three and four Merino yearling-sheep and two Merino lambs on three farms in Eastern Cape Thornveld, and two Dorper yearling-sheep on a farm in Valley Bushveld were slaughtered and examined for helminths. The Merino sheep were infected with 15 nematode species, of which Haemonchus contortus, Nematodirus spathiger and Trichostrongylus spp. were the most numerous, and with four cestode species. The Dorper sheep were infected with 17 nematode species, of which Trichostrongylus rugafus and N. spathiger were the most numerous, and with two cestode species. Haemonchus contortus was most numerous in older sheep during the summer months and exhibited no tendency to over-winter as arrested fourth stage larvae. The largest numbers of N. spathiger were present in sheep on the most coastally located of the farms during autumn and winter; on a farm further inland during spring; and on an inland farm in Valley Bushveld during spring and summer. As Merino lambs progressed from birth to 9 months of age a larger proportion of their dwindling burdens of N. spathiger was present as fourth stage larvae. Dorper sheep in Valley Bushveld harboured most Teladorsagia circumcincta in May and from October to January. Trichostrongylus rugatus was most numerous in Merino sheep on one of the Thornveld farms during September, whereas all Trichostrongylus spp., including T. rugatus, were most numerous in Dorper sheep on the Valley Bushveld farm during January.     

The impact of 2 dipping systems on endemic stability to bovine babesiosis and anaplasmosis in cattle in 4 communally grazed areas in Limpopo Province, South Africa

A 12-month study was conducted in 4 communal grazing areas in the Bushbuckridge region, Limpopo Province, South Africa. The main objective was to investigate the impact of reduced acaricide application on endemic stability to bovine babesiosis (Babesia bigemina and Babesia bovis) and anaplasmosis (Anaplasma marginale) in the local cattle population. To this end 60 cattle in each communal grazing area were bled at the beginning and the conclusion of the experimental period and their sera were assayed for B. bovis, B. bigemina and Anaplasma antibodies. Cattle in the intensively dipped group were dipped 26 times and maintained on a 14-day dipping interval throughout the study, whereas cattle in the strategically dipped group were dipped only 13 times. Three cattle, from which adult ticks were collected, were selected from each village, while immature ticks were collected by drag-sampling the surrounding vegetation. During the dipping process, a questionnaire aimed at assessing the prevalence of clinical cases of tick-borne disease, abscesses and mortalities was completed by an Animal Health Technician at each diptank. An increase in seroprevalence to B. bovis and B. bigemina and a decrease in seroprevalence to Anaplasma was detected in the strategically dipped group while in the intensively dipped group the converse was true. Amblyomma hebraeum was the most numerous tick species on the cattle, and Rhipicephalus (Boophilus) microplus was more plentiful than Rhipicephalus (Boophilus) decoloratus. Drag samples yielded more immature stages of A. hebraeum than of Rhipicephalus (Boophilus) spp. The incidence of clinical cases of tick-borne disease and of abscesses increased in the strategically dipped group at the start of the survey.     

Helicopter-based censusing of domestic dogs in Gauteng Province, South Africa

Decision support in veterinary epidemiology often depends on density estimates of domestic animals. These estimates are usually based on ground surveys of various types. Ground surveys are difficult to undertake in the informal housing settlements that are frequently encountered in developing countries. In addition, they are time-consuming and expensive. In this study, field experience in enumerating wildlife from helicopters was used to count domestic animals in Gauteng Province, South Africa. Data for domestic dogs are analysed for precision and accuracy and the technique evaluated in terms of its value for decision support.     

Tetrameres numida n. sp. (Nematoda: Tetrameridae) from Helmeted guineafowls, Numida meleagris (Linnaeus, 1758), in South Africa

Tetrameres numida n. sp. from the proventriculus of Helmeted guineafowls, Numida meleagris, in South Africa is described from eight male and four female specimens. The new species shares some characteristics with other Tetrameres species, but can be differentiated by a unique combination of characters. It bears two rows of cuticular spines extending over the whole length of the body and possesses two spicules. The left spicule measures 1699-2304 microm and the right one 106-170 microm. Caudal spines are arranged in three ventral and three lateral pairs and the tail is 257-297 microm long. Diagnostic criteria of some of the previously described species of the genus Tetrameres from Africa and other parts of the world have been compiled from the literature and are included here.