Patterns of seed production and shrub association in two palatable Karoo shrub species under contrasting land use intensities

Seed production and shrub association patterns of the two palatable shrubs. Tripteris sinuatum and Tetragoma froticosa were investigated on heavily grazed communal and lightly grazed commercial rangeland in the succulent karoo, Namaqualand. Seed production in both these species was substantially reduced on the communal rangeland relative to the commercial rangeland. Seed production in T. sinuatum was most severely affected, with seed production on the communal rangeland two orders of magnitude lower than on the commercial rangeland. The proportion of T. sinuatum and T. froticosa shrubs growing unassociated with other shrubs on the communal rangeland was reduced by approximately 50%. Lycium ferocissimum was most effective as a refuge plant for T. sinuatum in terms of the mean seed production per plant. Ruschia robusta was however most important in terms of the overall amount of seed produced by T. sinuatum and T. froticosa on the communal rangeland, due to the large number of times this association occurred. Refuge plants did not appear to be particularly important for T. froticosa in terms of seed production, but were important in terms of providing safe sites for recruitment. The results of this study suggest that unpalatable or thorny species such as L. ferocissimum play an important role in providing refuge sites for palatable species that might otherwise become entirely lost from overgrazed rangelands.     

甘南地区歪头菜的选择性败育及结实格局

歪头菜是甘南地区极具利用价值的饲用植物,可为家畜提供丰富的蛋白质,因此加强种子生产是歪头菜在该地区种植推广的基础。本实验着眼于歪头菜生殖过程中的选择性败育,研究了歪头菜花期不同阶段和花序不同位置果实和种子的结实格局,得出以下结果:1)2龄植株盛花期花序上结荚率最高(41.6%),5龄植株初花期花序上结荚率最高(28.8%),两者均为末花期花序上结荚率最低,且所结荚果内种子数为0。2)2龄和5龄植株均为花序中部结荚率最高,分别为43.9%和41.6%,但上、中、下部位荚果内的种子数无显著(P>0.05)差异。3)荚果内靠近柱头端和靠近小花柄端的胚珠败育的可能性更大,荚果中部(从柱头端算起第2,3,4,5位置)的胚珠形成种子时更易出现交替败育的趋势。4)每序结荚数随着每序单花数的增加呈现先增加后减少的趋势,当每序单花数为20朵时,每序结荚数达到最大8个。由上述结果推测,选择性败育引起的歪头菜果实和种子的结实分配格局可能是资源限制的原因,也可能是植物对特殊生境的一种繁殖策略,然而这一结果影响了歪头菜的实际种子产量。     

Small‐scale reseeding trials in arid rangeland: Effects of rainfall,clearing and grazing on seedling survival

Abstract

Seeds of four indigenous plant species were sown in 1990 in small‐scale field trials in an arid, non‐seasonal rainfall region of the southern Karoo, South Africa. Seeds of a winter annual Tetragonia echinata (Aizoaceae) showed innate dormancy but those of three perennial shrubs Pteronia empetrifolia, P. pollens and Osteospermum sinuatum (all Asteraceae) emerged only after the first substantial autumn rain. In good rangeland, seedling growth and survival was better in clearings than in undisturbed vegetation. In poor, continuously‐grazed rangeland, sheep had more influence on growth and survival of O. sinuatum seedlings than did vegetation clearing. These findings should be tested by means of large‐scale trials replicated in time and space.     

Defoliation Timing Effects on Spotted Knapweed Seed Production and Viability

Spotted knapweed (Centaurea stoebe L.), a perennial invasive forb that reproduces largely by seed, often forms new flowers after prescribed sheep grazing or mowing is applied during the bolting or flowering stage. It is unknown if these new flowers produce viable seeds by the end of the growing season. The purpose of this 2-yr study was to determine the appropriate timing (or timings) or combination (or combinations) of timings of defoliation on spotted knapweed to reduce its viable seed production. Spotted knapweed plants on foothill rangeland in west-central Montana were hand-clipped at seven different timings and frequencies of defoliation: June (bolting stage); July (late-bud–early flowering stage); August (full-flowering stage); June + July; June + August; July + August; or June + July + August. Unclipped plants were controls. Plants clipped in the bolting stage were defoliated at 35–40% relative utilization. Plants clipped at all other timings had 100% of their buds and flowers removed, plus 3 cm of each bud or flower stem. Plant response was evaluated from mid-August through September, whenever the seed heads of each treatment’s plants reached maturity but while their seed-head bracts remained tightly closed. Clipping at any timing or combination of timings reduced the number of buds and flower heads per plant (P < 0.01), number of seeds per plant (P < 0.01), percentage of viability of seeds (P < 0.01), and number of viable seeds per plant (P < 0.01) compared with no clipping. Clipping during the bolting stage reduced the number of viable seeds by nearly 90% compared with no clipping. Clipping during the late-bud–early-flower or full-flower stage reduced the number of viable seeds by nearly 100% compared with no clipping. Spotted knapweed defoliation via prescribed sheep grazing or mowing in summer should suppress viable seed production of spotted knapweed.     

二倍体菘蓝开花习性及传粉特性研究

菘蓝是药材板蓝根和大青叶的基原植物,依赖种子繁殖。通过田间观测和人工授粉实验,对民乐县栽培菘蓝开花时序和传粉生物学系统进行研究,旨在为其种子繁育和杂种优势利用提供科学和技术依据。研究表明,菘蓝为无限花序,单株表现异向开花习性,花序从植株顶部向下,单花从花序基部向上依次开放。花两性,雄蕊6,4枚长,2枚短,花萼和花瓣均为4,花萼绿色,花瓣黄色,子房上位,1室。单花寿命6~7 d,异常气候可缩短至3~4 d,群体开花期30 d左右。即将开放的花蕾柱头已成熟,花瓣刚露出花萼后开花当天,花粉鲜黄而散,末花期子房膨大,花粉干枯。短角果结种子0~2粒。自然结籽率95.0%,不去雄和去雄套纸袋均不结实,同株异花去雄授粉结籽率仅4.0%,去雄套纸袋异株异花授粉结籽率72.0%,去雄不套袋结籽率53.3%,自交不亲和指数为0.96~1.00。不去雄套网袋结籽率5.0%,去雄后提高至13.7%,访花者主要有食蚜蝇、黑蜂等。说明菘蓝具有较强的自交不亲和性,不存在无融合生殖现象,属典型的异花授粉类型,需传粉者,传粉媒介以虫媒为主,风媒为辅。     

In vitro evaluation,in vivo quantification,and microbial diversity studies of nutritional strategies for reducing enteric methane production

The main objective of the present work was to study nutritive strategies for lessening the CH₄ formation associated to ruminant tropical diets. In vitro gas production technique was used for evaluating the effect of tannin-rich plants, essential oils, and biodiesel co-products on CH₄ formation in three individual studies and a small chamber system to measure CH₄ released by sheep for in vivo studies was developed. Microbial rumen population diversity from in vitro assays was studied using qPCR. In vitro studies with tanniniferous plants, herbal plant essential oils derived from thyme, fennel, ginger, black seed, and Eucalyptus oil (EuO) added to the basal diet and cakes of oleaginous plants (cotton, palm, castor plant, turnip, and lupine), which were included in the basal diet to replace soybean meal, presented significant differences regarding fermentation gas production and CH₄ formation. In vivo assays were performed according to the results of the in vitro assays. Mimosa caesalpineaefolia, when supplemented to a basal diet (Tifton-85 hay Cynodon sp, corn grain, soybean meal, cotton seed meal, and mineral mixture) fed to adult Santa Ines sheep reduced enteric CH₄ emission but the supplementation of the basal diet with EuO did not affect (P > 0.05) methane released. Regarding the microbial studies of rumen population diversity using qPCR with DNA samples collected from the in vitro trials, the results showed shifts in microbial communities of the tannin-rich plants in relation to control plant. This research demonstrated that tannin-rich M. caesepineapholia, essential oil from eucalyptus, and biodiesel co-products either in vitro or in vivo assays showed potential to mitigate CH₄ emission in ruminants. The microbial community study suggested that the reduction in CH₄ production may be attributed to a decrease in fermentable substrate rather than to a direct effect on methanogenesis.     

The influence of ruminant digestion on the germination of Pennisetum clandestinum hochst. ex chiov 1

Abstract

Approximately half of the viable Pennisetum clandestinum seed fed to sheep was found to be viable after passing through the digestive system. 82 % of the viable seed was excreted within 28 hours of ingestion with no viable seed being excreted after 52 hours after ingestion. These results have important implications for the dispersion of this species.     

Growth in three Karoo shrub species under various grazing treatments: the tracking of marked individuals over 25 years

Growth studies of long-lived shrubs are uncommon. In semi-arid rangelands, livestock and wildlife grazing influence growth processes and may interact with changing climate. Tierberg-LTER, excluded from livestock since 1987, and two adjacent ranches allowed for a comparative growth study of three shrub species (Osteospermum sinuatum – palatable, Pteronia empetrifolia – moderately palatable, and P. pallens – unpalatable) across contrasting present ungulate herbivory (none in exclosures, wildlife only, or livestock and wildlife combined) and past livestock herbivory (moderate and overgrazed). Marked individuals were measured at irregular intervals over 25 years. Stem basal diameter (mm), height (m) and two canopy diameters (m) were measured at the onset of the study and in 2014. Mean basal diameter growth (mm y^?1) varied between species and treatments. Change in mean attribute values was influenced by interactions with grazing history and treatments. Some historical and grazing treatments had a negative effect on the palatable O. sinuatum and no significant effect on moderately palatable P. empetrifolia or unpalatable P. pallens. The age of the originally marked individuals are unknown but >70% of these individuals survived over the 25-year period. Our results support previous findings that dwarf shrubs in deserts are slow growing and long lived, and that grazing regime affects plant growth.     

Effect of Terminalia chebula and Allium sativum on in vivo methane emission by sheep

A study was conducted to evaluate some plant parts (already tested for their antimethanogenic activity in in vitro gas production test in the authors’ laboratory) as feed additive to combat methane emission from sheep. Sixteen male sheep with average body weight of 29.96 ± 1.69 kg (22 months of age) were divided into four groups in a randomized block design. The animals were fed on a diet containing forage to concentrate ratio of 1:1. The concentrate fraction composed (in parts) of maize grain, 32; wheat bran, 45; deoiled soybean meal, 20; mineral mixture, 2 and common salt, 1. The four treatments were control (without additive), seed pulp of Terminalia chebula (Harad), bulb of Allium sativum (Garlic) and a mixture (Mix) of the latter two in equal proportions at the rate of 1% of dry matter (DM) intake. There was no effect on DM intake due to the inclusion of these feed additives. The digestibilities of DM and organic matter tended to be higher (p < 0.1) in the groups with T. chebula and A. sativum, whereas, neutral detergent fibre (NDF), acid detergent fibre (ADF) and cellulose digestibilities were higher (p < 0.05) in all the three experimental groups compared with control. The nitrogen balance and plane of nutrition were not affected by inclusion of any of the feed additives. Methane emission (L/kg digested DM intake) as estimated by open circuit respiration chamber and methane energy loss as per cent of digestible energy intake tended to be lower in T. chebula (p = 0.09) and Mix (p = 0.08) groups compared with control. The data indicated that T. chebula showed antimethanogenic activity, whereas both T. chebula and A. sativum improved nutrient digestibility. Therefore, these two plants appear to be suitable candidates for use as feed additive to mitigate methane emission and to improve nutrient utilization by sheep.     

A multi-species model to assess the effect of refugia on worm control and anthelmintic resistance in sheep grazing systems

Objective Develop a computer simulation model that uses daily meteorological data and farm management practices to predict populations of Trichostrongylus colubriformis, Haemonchus contortus and Teladorsagia (Ostertagia) circumcincta and the evolution of anthelmintic resistance within a sheep flock. Use the model to explore if increased refugia, provided by leaving some adult sheep untreated, would delay development of anthelmintic resistance without compromising nematode control. Procedures Compare model predictions with field observations from a breeding flock in Armidale, NSW. Simulate the impact of leaving 1–10% of adult sheep untreated in diverse sheep‐grazing systems. Results Predicted populations of Tr. colubriformis and T. circumcincta were less than those observed in the field, attributed to nutritional stress experienced by the sheep during drought and not accounted for by the model. Observed variation in faecal egg counts explained by the model (R²) for these species was 40–50%. The H. contortus populations and R² were both low. Leaving some sheep untreated worked best in situations where animals were already grazing or were moved onto pastures with low populations of infective larvae. In those cases, anthelmintic resistance was delayed and nematode control was maintained when 1–4% of adult stock remained untreated. Conclusions In general, the model predicted that leaving more than 4% of adults untreated did not sufficiently delay the development of anthelmintic resistance to justify the increased production risk from such a strategy. The choice of a drug rotation strategy had an equal or larger effect on nematode control, and selection for resistance, than leaving 1–10% of adults untreated.     

Efficacy of anthelmintic properties of medicinal plant extracts against Haemonchus contortus

The development of anthelmintic resistance has made the search for alternatives to control gastrointestinal nematodes of small ruminants imperative. Among these alternatives are several medicinal plants traditionally used as anthelmintics. This present work evaluated the efficacy of ethyl acetate, acetone, and methanol dried leaf and seed extracts of five medicinal plants were tested in vitro ovicidal and larvicidal activities on Haemonchus contortus. The in vitro assay was based on egg hatch assay (EHA) and larval development assay (LDA), all plant extracts were evaluated at five concentrations 50, 25, 12.5, 6.25 and 3.13 mg/ml. The leaf and seed ethyl acetate, acetone and methanol of Annona squamosa, Eclipta prostrata, Solanum torvum, Terminalia chebula, and Catharanthus roseus extracts were showed complete inhibition (100%) at the maximum concentration tested (50 mg/ml). The overall findings of the present study have shown that our experimental plant extracts contain possible anthelmintic compounds.     

Endozoochory of frugivorous birds as potential dispersal of seed parasites from Pistacia chinesis: experimental evidence

The plant–disperser–fruit pest triads involve 3 interacting animals or groups (plants, vertebrates and seed parasites), and the dispersal of both seeds and seed parasites, which can both benefit from endozoochory via defecation or regurgitation by frugivorous vertebrates. However, we have very limited knowledge about the ecological and evolutionary consequences of these plant–disperser–fruit pest triads. Across central Northern China, several seed wasps (mainly Eurytoma plotnikov attack Pistacia chinensis fruits, and seed wasp larvae can develop, diapause and finally emerge as adults inside a seed during the following 1–3 years. In this study, we experimentally investigated whether frugivorous birds discriminated P. chinesis fruits with or without seed parasites, and whether bird endozoochory (by defecation or regurgitation) affected larval survival of seed parasites. The infestation rate by seed parasites was 37% of the P. chinesis fruit crop but with up to 48% of aborted fruits. We found that all 5 bird species can discriminate and then reject all unhealthy fruits (including aborted and insect‐infested). However, 4 of the 5 bird species, in particular bulbul species, consumed 15–41% of aborted and insect‐infested fruits as complementary food only when these unhealthy fruits were provided. Moreover, all larva of seed parasites remained alive after bird defecation or regurgitation. In conclusion, our study demonstrates that endozoochory by frugivorous birds could lead to potential dispersal of seed parasites of P. chinensis but with a very low probability.     

Trait‐mediated seed predation,dispersal and survival among frugivore‐dispersed plants in a fragmented subtropical forest,Southwest China

By tracking the fate of individual seeds from 6 frugivore‐dispersed plants with contrasting seed traits in a fragmented subtropical forest in Southwest China, we explored how rodent seed predation and hoarding were influenced by seed traits such as seed size, seed coat hardness and seed profitability. Post‐dispersal seed fates varied significantly among the 6 seed species and 3 patterns were witnessed: large‐seeded species with a hard seed coat (i.e. Choerospoadias axillaries and Diospyros kaki var. silvestris) had more seeds removed, cached and then surviving at caches, and they also had fewer seeds predated but a higher proportion of seeds surviving at the source; medium‐sized species with higher profitability and thinner seed coat (i.e. Phoebe zhennan and Padus braohypoda) were first harvested and had the lowest probability of seeds surviving either at the source or at caches due to higher predation before or after removal; and small‐seeded species with lower profitability (i.e. Elaeocarpus japonicas and Cornus controversa) had the highest probability of seeds surviving at the source but the lowest probability of seeds surviving at caches due to lower predation at the source and lower hoarding at caches. Our study indicates that patterns of seed predation, dispersal and survival among frugivore‐dispersed plants are highly determined by seed traits such as seed size, seed defense and seed profitability due to selective predation and hoarding by seed‐eating rodents. Therefore, trait‐mediated seed predation, dispersal and survival via seed‐eating rodents can largely affect population and community dynamics of frugivore‐dispersed plants in fragmented forests.     

Seroprevalence of Toxoplasma gondii infection in sheep and alpacas (Llama pacos) in Chile

Serum samples from 408 sheep from different regions of Chile and 447 alpacas (Llama pacos) from the north of the country were tested for Toxoplasma gondii antibodies. The indirect haemagglutination test (IHAT) was used in both species and the indirect immunofluorescence test (IIFT) was also used on the sheep samples in order to compare the performance of the tests in that species. In both tests, titers ≥1:16 were considered diagnostically significant. Sera from 49 sheep (12%) were positive to T. gondii antibodies by the IHAT. When using the IIFT, 114 sheep sera (28%) were positive. The different results obtained in sheep sera between the tests were significant (p<0.0001). No differences were observed between geographical locations or sex of the sampled sheep regarding serological detection of T. gondii antibodies in sheep. As expected, adult sheep showed higher T. gondii reactivity than young sheep (p=0.0008). The corrected prevalence of toxoplasmosis in alpaca was 16.3% (32 positive out of 447). The rather low prevalence in alpacas may be associated with their extensive management as well as the extreme climatic conditions of The Andes which apparently would not be favorable for the transmission of the parasite.     

Galápagos land iguana (Conolophus subcristatus) as a seed disperser

The role of the most common land iguana (Conolophus subcristatus) in the Galápagos Islands as an effective seed disperser is explored in this study. A total of 5705 seeds of 32 plant species were identified from 160 scats, 4545 of which (80%) appeared visually undamaged. Germination trials of 849 seeds from 29 species revealed that at least 10 species remained viable after passing through the iguana's gut, although only a small proportion of those seeds (4%) germinated. In any case, we argue that C. subcristatus exerts an important role on the 7 Galapagos islands where it occurs because of its abundance and capacity to ingest and disperse seeds at long distances. Our results strongly suggest that the Galápagos C. subcristatus plays an important role as a seed disperser of not only of native species but also some introduced plants in the Galápagos Islands.     

Can Sheep Control Invasive Forbs Without Compromising Efforts to Restore Native Plants?

Domestic sheep (Ovis aries) are increasingly being used to control non-native invasive plants in areas where restoration is a management goal. However, the efficacy of sheep grazing depends on both its potential for controlling undesirable plants and its ability to promote natives. To date, few studies have investigated impacts of sheep grazing on native forb recovery in North American grasslands. We assessed the impact of sheep on forbs by measuring the number of stems grazed before and after sheep foraged in western Montana, United States. Sheep grazed a higher percentage of non-native than native forbs (70% vs. 23%, respectively), and number of stems grazed was six times higher for non-natives than natives (48 vs. 5, respectively). Sheep preferentially selected the non-native forbs sulphur cinquefoil and yellow salsify over leafy spurge (fi = 2.075; fi = 0.969; fi = 0.969, respectively), as well as the native forbs white prairie aster (fi = 1.090) and blanketflower (fi = 1.000). Selection of native forbs was positively correlated with their pregrazing abundance and increased over the grazing period. Our findings indicate that when using sheep to control invasive forbs, appropriate timing and monitoring of grazing are critical for reducing nontarget impacts to native vegetation.     

Stable carbon isotopes accurately predict diet selection by sheep fed mixtures of C3 annual pastures and saltbush or C4 perennial grasses

The stable carbon isotope technique has been widely used to infer the dietary ecology of a range of animal species; however calibration of the technique with animals fed known diets is essential for accurate back-calculation of dietary preferences. The aim of this study was to identify suitable samples and back-calculation methods to predict short-term (2 to 3 week) dietary selection by sheep among plants with C₃ and C₄ photosynthetic pathways. Variation in integration time of dietary carbon into plasma and faeces; diet-tissue discrimination of carbon isotopes (fractionation) and the importance of accounting for the digestible or indigestible components of the diet was investigated. The results indicate that faecal and rumen samples provided the most accurate prediction of short term dietary changes in sheep selecting between C₃ and C₄ plants. The most accurate back-calculation method for these samples used δ¹³C of the C₃ and C₄ plants and accounted for both diet-tissue discrimination and differences in the indigestibility between the C₃ and C₄ forage. For faecal samples, the organic matter content of the diet originating from C₄ plants could be predicted with a mean error as low as 2.7%. Wool and plasma samples were not conducive to predicting proportion of C4 forage in the diet within 18 days after a change in diet; however plasma could be used to discriminate between animals fed 100% C₃ and C₄ diets after 3 days. The δ¹³C technique provides a valuable tool for researchers when designing pastures for dual environmental and production purposes. An understanding of what sheep select allows for development of appropriate grazing management strategies to optimise productivity and/or persistence of target species.     

Diet Quality Modifies Germination of Dichrostachys cinerea and Acacia nilotica Seeds Fed to Ruminants

The pods of many woody plants form an important part of the diet of livestock during the dry season due to their high nutritive value. However, the dispersal of seeds that remain intact and can potentially germinate after excretion is of particular concern when animals consume seeds of encroaching or invasive woody plants. The objectives of this study were to determine the effects of animal species in two experiments (experiment 1: goats, sheep; experiment 2: goats, cattle), diet quality (Medicago sativa hay, Digitaria eriantha hay) and seed characteristics (size, hardness) on the effectiveness of animal seed dispersal and germination of Dichrostachys cinerea and Acacia nilotica seeds. Owing to a limitation on the availability of seeds, the two experiments were done separately at different times. Each animal in both experiments received 1 000 A. nilotica seeds and 1 000 D. cinerea seeds mixed with either a low-quality diet (D. eriantha hay) or a high-quality diet (M. sativa hay). In experiment 1, we found a significant interaction effect of animal species (goats, sheep), diet (high-quality hay, low-quality hay), and seed species (A. nilotica seeds, D. cinerea seeds) on germination (P < 0.0001). There was also a higher seed recovery (P < 0.009) when animals were offered high-quality hay (47.4% ± 4.65) compared to low-quality hay (30.2% ± 3.24). In experiment 2, animal species affected seed recovery (P < 0.0325; goats 32.0% ± 6.44; cattle 50.3% ± 4.27) and germination percentage (P < 0.055; goats 14.1% ± 1.48; cattle 9.3% ± 0.94). The diet quality fed to the animals may affect dispersal and germination. However, animal species and seed characteristics also had important effects on germination of D. cinerea and A. nilotica seeds. Thus, all three of these factors play a major role in dissemination of viable seeds.     

In vitro Metabolism of 14C-Moxidectin by Hepatic Microsomes from Various Species

Moxidectin is an antiparasitic drug widely used in cattle, sheep and companion animals. No data were available on its metabolism in wild species or in monogastrics. The in vitro metabolism of ¹⁴C-moxidectin was studied using hepatic microsomes from several different species: cow (Bos taurus), sheep (Ovis ovis), goat (Capra hircus), deer (Cervus dama), rat (Rattus norvegicus), pig (Sus scrofa and rabbit (Oryctolagus cuniculus). After separation and quantification by HPLC, the extent of metabolism of ¹⁴C-moxidectin was greatest with microsomes from sheep (32.7%) as compared to those from cows (20.6%), deer (15.4%), goats (12.7%), rabbits (7.0%) or rats (3.0%). The least metabolism occurred with microsomes from pigs, with 0.8% of total detected metabolites. A C₂₉ monohydroxymethyl metabolite was detected in the greatest amounts, providing 0.4% out of the total detected radioactivity in pigs and 19.3% in sheep. In addition, the importance of P450 3A in the metabolism of ¹⁴C-moxidectin was confirmed by using in vivo induced P450 in combination with various P450 inhibitors.     

Prevalence,risk factors,and distribution of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Cysticercus tenuicollis</Emphasis> in visceral organs of slaughtered sheep and goats in central Ethiopia

An abattoir survey was conducted to determine the prevalence of Cysticercus tenuicollis, to find out the association between prevalence and potential risk factors as well as to assess the distribution of C. tenuicollis in visceral organs of slaughtered sheep and goats. Out of the total 768 goats and 630 sheep visceral organs inspected, C. tenuicollis was found in 358 goats (46.6%) and 252 sheep (40.0%), respectively. Adult goats (51.8%) and sheep (47.4%) were more infected than kids (41.4%) and lambs (35.8%), respectively. Goats (58.1%) and sheep (46.5%) from highland areas were more infected than goats (35.2%) and sheep (33.8%) from lowland areas. C. tenuicollis was more frequently detected in the omentum of goats and sheep than any other visceral organs. Appropriate control measures need to be introduced to reduce the prevalence of these parasites in small ruminants.