Studies on the parasites of zebras. III Nematodes of the mountain zebra from the farm "Kelpie" and the Namib-Naukluft Park, South West Africa/Namibia

Twelve mountain zebra which were culled at monthly intervals on the farm " Kelpie " in South West Africa/Namibia were examined for helminths. The zebras varied in age from 2-15 years, the middle group of which, aged 4-7 years, had the highest worm burdens. Fourteen species of nematodes belonging to the families Atractidae , Strongylidae , Oxyuridae , Setariidae and Spiruridae were recovered. The highest worm burdens were those of Crossocephalus sp. with 692-61 066 680 and Probstmayria vivipara with 1 257 810-42 004 300. The predominance of the atractids is discussed. The nematodes consistently present were: Cylicodontophorus n. sp. (44-2 107), Triodontophorus spp. (2-934), Cylindropharynx spp. (20-2 332), Crossocephalus sp. and P. vivipara. Two new species, Cylicostephanus longiconus and Cylicodontophorus n. sp., were reported. An additional 3 mountain zebra, culled in the Namib - Naukluft Park, were also examined for helminths. Of 3 zebras ranging in age from 2-7 years, the 2 older animals had the highest helminth burden. Ten species of the nematodes belonging to the same families mentioned above were recovered. The only Spiruridae present were 3 Habronema majus in 1 zebra. The highest worm burdens were those of Crossocephalus sp. with 64 052-883 070 and P. vivipara with 50 720-220 200. The nematodes consistently present were the same as those in the " Kelpie " zebra. In addition, a 2nd, new species of Cylicodontophorus was reported.