Helminth Parasites of Grey Kangaroos, Macropus Giganteus Shaw and M. Fuliginosus (Desmarest), in Eastern Australia.

Abstract

In a survey in eastern Australia, 104 Macropus giganteus and 40 M. fuliginosus were examined at autopsy for helminths. 32 species of nematodes (28 strongyloids 2 oxyuroids and 2 filarioids) and 6 species of anoplocephalid cestodes were found. Most species occurred in both hosts. The most prevalent and numerous nematode in both species was Rugopharynx australis which reached numbers up to 290 000 in M. fuliginosus. Pharyngostrongylus kappa was also common and widespread but occurred only in M. giganteus. The most striking stomach worms were Labiostrongylus kungi and L. bipapillosus which occurred in both hosts. Various Cloacina spp. were found, some specific to one host, others occurring in both. Other species of stomach nematodes were relatively uncommon. The parasites of the small intestine were 2 species of Globocephaloides, 2 of Triplotaenia and 2 of Progamotaenia. 2 other species of the latter genus occurred in the bile ducts. The large intestine harboured 6 species of nematodes, including Macropoxyuris spp. which were very numerous in both hosts. The 2 species of filariids found (both in Macropus giganteus) were Breinlia mundayi (new host record) in the abdominal cavity and Dirofilaria roemeri in the connective tissues.

The Efficacy of Anthelmintic Drugs Against Nematodes Infecting Free-Ranging Eastern Grey Kangaroos, Macropus Giganteus

“…Most were collected as fresh road-kills; however, the cause of death of some was unknown. The entire gastrointestinal tract was examined using standard methods (Beveridge and Arundel, 1979) and the contents were collected. The helminth parasites of eastern grey kangaroos are predominately strongylid nematodes, with few cestode species (Beveridge and Arundel, 1979;Aussavy et al, 2011).…”

“…The entire gastrointestinal tract was examined using standard methods (Beveridge and Arundel, 1979) and the contents were collected. The helminth parasites of eastern grey kangaroos are predominately strongylid nematodes, with few cestode species (Beveridge and Arundel, 1979;Aussavy et al, 2011). Nematodes collected were cleared in lactophenol and 50-100 individuals from each kangaroo were identified to species.…”

“…Macropodid marsupials, such as the eastern grey kangaroo (Macropus giganteus), carry a diverse fauna of gastrointestinal parasites (Beveridge and Arundel, 1979) with marked seasonal fluctuations in worm burdens (Arundel et al, 1990). Juveniles are particularly susceptible to the effects of gastrointestinal parasitism, largely from the intestinal trichostrongylid nematode Globocephaloides trifidospicularis, and can experience high mortality in their first winter postweaning (Quin, 1989;Arundel et al, 1990).…”

Parasite and predator risk assessment: nuanced use of olfactory cues

“…Dingoes (Canis lupus dingo) preyed on wallabies in the past [24], but have been extirpated from the Grampians region; the main extant predator is the red fox (Vulpes vulpes). In the Grampians region, red-necked wallabies have up to 22 parasitic helminth species in their gastrointestinal tracts, yet share very few species with sympatric grey kangaroos [29,30] (see the electronic supplementary material). Our experiments took place during autumn and winter in both 2012 and 2013, the peak time for parasite infection [31].…”

Resurrection and redescription of Globocephaloides wallabiae Johnston et Mawson, 1939 (Nematoda, Trichostrongyloidea) from macropodid marsupials in north-eastern Australia

“…These parasitic nematodes occur in the duodenum of kangaroos and wallabies (Marsupialia, Macropodidae), causing anaemia, hypoproteinaemia and, in extreme cases, death (Arundel et al 1977, Beveridge and Arundel 1979, Beveridge et al 1984. Both G. trifidospicularis and G. macropodis have a wide host range and distribution compared with G. affinis, which is apparently restricted to Macropus dorsalis (Gray, 1837).…”