Parasites and Pathological Findings in Enclosed and Free-Ranging Populations of Macropus Rufus (Demarest) (Marsupialia) at Menindee, New South Wales.

Abstract

A total of 115 Macropus rufus was collected at bimonthly intervals at Menindee, New South Wales, Australia, in 1976 and 1977 and examined for parasites and pathological changes. The animals came from 2 populations, one free-ranging and the other a high-density, enclosed population in Kinchega National Park. No differences in species of helminths present, in prevalence or intensity of infection were noted between the 2 populations. The stomachs were infected with Labiostrongylus longispicularis (prevalence 87.8%), Rugopharynx australis (98.2%), Zoniolaimus spp. (81.6%), Cloacina spp. (71.1%), Papillostrongylus labiatus (47.4%) and Filarinema spp. (92.2%). Hypodontus macropi (93.0%) was the dominant species among the 2 species of cestodes and 3 of nematodes found in the intestine. Progamotaenia festiva (in 74.3%) was found in the bile ducts where it caused mild cholangitis. Only 2 nematode species, F. flagrifer and H. macropi, caused gross and histological lesions. Apart from L. longispicularis none of the helminths showed seasonal variations in prevalence or numbers. Data on worm numbers in relation to host age and on site distribution in the host are presented. The various haematological parameters measured showed no evidence of adverse effects by the parasites, and corticosteroid levels were judged to be within the normal range. The helminth faunas of 9 M. fuliginosus and one M. robustus, grazing sympatrically with M. rufus inside the park are listed. ADDITIONAL ABSTRACT: The parasites reported from 115 red kangaroos (Macropus rufus) in New South Wales in 1976-77 include Tracheomyia macropi (Frogg.), which infected the trachea in 54.5% of the kangaroos [see RAE/B 4, p. 122].

Genetic variation within the Hypodontus macropi (Nematoda: Strongyloidea) complex from macropodid marsupial hosts in Australia

“…An initial study of the distribution of this nematode in south‐eastern Australia indicated unusual host patterns, with H. macropi occurring in red‐necked wallabies ( Macropus rufogriseus ) and swamp wallabies ( M. bicolor ) in regions of high rainfall, but not in eastern grey kangaroos ( M. giganteus ) which have a distributional range that overlaps that of M. rufogriseus and M. bicolor . Likewise, in arid areas of south‐eastern Australia, H. macropi is a common parasite of red kangaroos ( M. rufus ), but only rarely occurs in western grey kangaroos ( M. fuliginosus ) in regions where they are sympatric with M. rufus . Similar observations have subsequently been made in north‐eastern Queensland, where H. macropi is common in the agile wallaby ( M. agilis ), the black stripe wallaby ( M. dorsalis ) and the wallaroo ( M. robustus ), but is absent from sympatric species such as M. giganteus and the whip‐tail wallaby ( M. parryi ) .…”

Parasitic nematode communities of the red kangaroo, Macropus rufus: richness and structuring in captive systems

“…Sequences corresponding to representatives of the genus Cloacina were detected in eight individuals from Lone Pine Koala Park and a single individual from Adelaide Zoo. This is unexpected as Cloacina constitutes one of the dominant nematode parasites of the macropodid forestomach and have been recovered in high numbers from free-ranging red kangaroo specimens across multiple regions (Mykytowycz 1964;Arundel et al 1979). It is unclear why this genus of nematodes is less prevalent in captive systems, but it may be due to the altered dynamics of parasite transmission, establishment or intracommunity competition in these environments.…”

“…Previous studies across multiple regions have identified the genera Cloacina, Rugopharynx and Zoniolaimus as being among the dominant nematode (suborder Strongylida) parasites of the red kangaroo stomach. The genera Labiosimplex, Filarinema, Papillostrongylus, Hypodontus, Macropostrongyloides have also been documented in geographically isolated populations, suggesting that they are a common component of the red kangaroo's gastrointestinal fauna (Mykytowycz 1964;Arundel et al 1979).…”

“…Consequently, numerous captive breeding programmes have been implemented around the country (Eldridge 2010). While the red kangaroo is considered to be of least concern, its well-documented and relatively simple strongylid nematode communities make it an excellent model organism for investigating the effects of captive environments on the structure of parasite assemblages in a host taxon of conservation significance (Mykytowycz 1964;Arundel et al 1979). Previous studies across multiple regions have identified the genera Cloacina, Rugopharynx and Zoniolaimus as being among the dominant nematode (suborder Strongylida) parasites of the red kangaroo stomach.…”

Genetic evidence for a complex of species within Rugopharynx australis (M�nnig, 1926) (Nematoda: Stronglyloidea) from macropodid marsupials

“…This result is not surprising given that the two host species are closely related, belonging to the same subgenus, are broadly sympatric, and share other parasitic nematodes (see Arundel et al, 1979;Chilton et al, 1992). Differences between nematodes from groups of hosts which were allopatric exceeded 18%, hence even in cases of allopatry, it seems probable that each sample, with the exception of those from M. robustus-M, rufus and M. giganteus-M, fuliginosus represent independent species.…”