RT Journal Article
T1 Genetic identification of gastrointestinal parasites in the world’s most endangered ungulate, the hirola (Beatragus hunteri)
A1 Remesar Alonso, Susana
A1 García-Dios, David
A1 Forcina, Giovanni
A1 Ali, Abdullahi H.
A1 Ndunda, Mathew
A1 Jowers, Michael
K1 Endangered species
K1 Gastrointestinal parasites
K1 Paramphistomidae
K1 Trichostrongylidae
AB BackgroundThe hirola (Beatragus hunteri) is the world's most critically endangered antelope. Its parasitic fauna has never been genetically characterised, raising questions about its possible role in the species' population decline. This study aimed to assess the presence of gastrointestinal parasites in hirolas and their transmission pathways.MethodsThirty-one hirola faecal samples were examined using coprological methods. The identification of trematode and nematode species was performed by PCR amplification of the internal transcribed spacer 2 (ITS-2) and 18S ribosomal RNA (18S rRNA) genes.ResultsTrematode and nematode eggs were detected in five (16.1%) and 23 (74.2%) samples, respectively. The trematode sequence was identical to Cotylophoron cotylophorum, while the nematode sequence showed a 99.3% identity to Chabaudstrongylus ninhae (18S rRNA) and 99.4% identity to Cooperia curticei (ITS-2).LimitationsThe sample size is relatively small; however, it represents a large portion of the extant hirola population at the year of sampling.ConclusionsA high percentage of the animals were infected by parasites whose presence may be associated with co-occurrence between hirolas and other ungulate species. Monitoring the parasite burden in local livestock may therefore be crucial for hirola conservation.
PB Wiley
YR 2025
FD 2025-03-27
LK https://hdl.handle.net/10347/42421
UL https://hdl.handle.net/10347/42421
LA eng
NO Remesar S, García-Dios D, Forcina G, Ali AH, Ndunda M, Jowers MJ. Genetic identification of gastrointestinal parasites in the world's most endangered ungulate, the hirola (Beatragus hunteri). Vet Rec. 2025;e5223. https://doi.org/10.1002/vetr.5223
NO Programme for Consolidating and Structuring Competitive Research Groups, Grant/Award Number: ED431C2023/16; Spanish Government Ministry of Universities; Portuguese Foundation for Science and Technology, Grant/Award Numbers: SFRH/BPD/109148/2015, PTDC/BAA-AGR/28866/2017
DS Minerva
RD 23 abr 2026