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Helminthologia
2020 Aug 05;573:252-267. doi: 10.2478/helm-2020-0027.
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Diversity of Parasites from Xenopus Laevis (Amphibia: Pipidae) and their Seasonal Rate of Infection in Selected Habitats in the Limpopo Province, South Africa.
Mbokane EM
,
Theron J
,
Luus-Powel WJ
.
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This study determined the diversity and seasonality of parasites species of the African clawed frog, Xenopus laevis (Daudin, 1802), from three localities, namely Modjadjikloof, Mokopane and University of Limpopo, Limpopo Province, South Africa. A total of seven parasite species were collected and identified. They included two nematodes, Camallanus kaapstaadi Southwell & Kirshner, 1937 and Batrachocamallanus slomei (Southwell & Kirshner, 1937), a monogenean, Protopolystoma xenopodis (Price, 1943), a cestode, Cephalochlamys namaquensis (Cohn, 1906), a protozoan, Trichodina xenopodos Fantham, 1924, two digeneans, Progonimodiscus doyeri Ortlepp, 1926 and Dollfuschella rodhaini Vercammen-Grandjean, 1960. The most common and abundant parasite species by far were Cm. kaapstaadi, B. slomei and Cp. namaquensis, with Cm. kaapstaadi, B. slomei present in all localities. Trichodina xenopodos was a rare species, only present in host populations from Modjadjiskloof. Modjadjiskloof had the highest species richness (all seven parasite species) followed by Mokopane (five parasite species) and University of Limpopo (3 parasite species). There were also higher infection levels (prevalence and mean intensity) of Cm. kaapstaadi, B. slomei, Cp. namaquensis and Pt. xenopodis in hosts from Modjadjiskloof while Pd. doyeri and D. rodhaini infection levels were greater in Mokopane. The variability between localities shows that parasites with heteroxenous life cycles are more strongly associated with more pristine habitats. The variability in calculated indices (prevalence and mean intensity) also suggests that the occurrence of some of the parasites is affected by season, favouring higher infection rates during summer. This suggests that temperature has a direct role in the reproductive and developmental processes of these parasites. Neither length nor sex had an influence on the prevalence or intensity of parasites.
Fig. 1. Map showing the natural distribution of Xenopus laevis in South Africa (circles).The distribution is based on De Busschere et al. (2016). Triangles indicate the sampling localities or geographical regions.
Fig. 2. Trichodina xenopodos, photomicrographs. A = Trichodina xenopodos from a wet preparation. B = T. xenopodos in a Petri-dish with saline. Scale bar: (400×)
Fig. 3. Protopolystoma xenopodis, photomicrographs. A = ventral view. B = illustration suckers. Scale bar: 100 μm.
Fig. 4. Dollfuschella rodhaini, photomicrographs. A = ventral view of D. rodhaini. B = Enlarged sinus organ. Scale bar: A = 1100 μm, B = 10μm.
Fig. 5. Progonimodiscus doyeri, photomicrographs. A = posterior view of the large acetabulum. B = micrograph of whole body of Pd. doyeri. Scale bar: 100 μm.
Fig. 6. Cephalochlamys namaquensis, photomicrographs. A = enlarged view of the scolex. B = micrograph showing segments and the position of gonopores. Scale bar: 100 μm.
Fig. 7. Camallanus kaapstaadi, photomicrographs A = wet preparation of Cm. kaapstaadi. B = tapering tail with three mucrons.C = enlarged buccal capsule with two large valves. Scale bar: A – B = (200x), C = (400x).
Fig. 8. Batrachocamallanus slomei, photomicrographs. A = opening of the anterior buccal capsule. B = posterior end showing mucrons.Scale bar: A = 10 μm, B = 100 μm.
Fig. 9. Prevalence of parasites recorded from Xenopus laevis from Modjadjiskloof, Mokopane and University of Limpopo in different seasons. Key: T. xenopodos = Trichodina xenopodos, Pt. xenopodos = Protopolystoma xenopodis, D. rodhaini = Dollfuschella rodhaini, Pd. doyeri = Progonimodiscus doyeri, Cp. namaquensis = Cephalochlamys namaquensis, B. slomei = Batrachocamallanus slomei, Cm. kaapstaadi = Camallanus kaapstaadi.
Fig. 10. Mean intensity of parasites recorded from Xenopus laevis from Modjadjiskloof, Mokopane and University of Limpopo in different seasons. Key: T. xenopodos = Trichodina xenopodos, Pt. xenopodos = Protopolystoma xenopodis, D. rodhaini = Dollfuschella rodhaini, Pd. doyeri = Progonimodiscus doyeri, Cp. namaquensis = Cephalochlamys namaquensis, B. slomei = Batrachocamallanus slomei, Cm. kaapstaadi = Camallanus kaapstaadi.
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