title: Fecal parasite identification by microscopy and PCR in scimitar-horned oryx,Oryx dammah, managed at two sites.
abstract: The scimitar-horned oryx,Oryx dammah, an endangered species extinct in the wild, is managed in various captive management programs and is the focus of reintroduction efforts. Management variability can contribute to substantial parasite load differences, which can affect deworming programs and potentially transfer parasites to different regions with translocations. Parasite studies inO. dammahare lacking. In this study, we determined fecal egg/oocyst counts ofO. dammahin two captive herds, Fossil Rim Wildlife Center (FRWC) and Kansas City Zoo (KCZ). Fecal egg counts (FEC) were performed onO. dammahfeces collected seasonally using the modified McMaster method, and microscopy provided additional identification of parasite genera ova and oocysts. To identify parasites to species level, homogenized fecals provided DNA subjected to the polymerase chain reaction (PCR) using genus specific primers. Microscopy and sequencing results indicated the presence ofStrongylus (Strongylus vulgaris, Angiostrongylus cantonensis),Trichostrongylus (Haemonchus contortus, Camelostrongylus mentulatus),Trichuris (T. leporis, T. ovis, and T. discolor),Isospora (Isospora gryphoni)andEimeria (E. zuernii and E. bovis), withStrongylusbeing the most common.Nematodiruswas identified through microscopy at FRWC. Fecal egg counts were significantly higher in (FRWC) than in (KCZ) in all samplings (P = <0.001). No significant difference was seen between parasite load and seasons (P = 0.103), nor site and season (P = 0.51). Both study sites maintained most animals within commonly accepted FEC levels found in domestic livestock. Individuals with high numbers of EPG or OPG were subordinate males, pregnant females, or neonates. Several significant interactions were found between genera of parasites, age, sex, season, and pregnancy status in the FRWC herd. Sampling limitations prevented further analysis of the KCZ herd. Understanding interactions between parasite loads and physiological, environmental, and regional differences can help determine inter-specific transfer of parasites, and establish appropriate anthelmintic programs forO. dammahherds.
authors.affiliation: University of Central Missouri, Biology and Agriculture, W.C. Morris Building, Room 306, Warrensburg, MO, 64093, USA.
authors.forename: Cassandra Dawn
authors.initials: CD
authors.lastname: Pauling
authors.affiliation: University of Central Missouri, Biology and Agriculture, W.C. Morris Building, Room 306, Warrensburg, MO, 64093, USA.
authors.forename: Anna R
authors.initials: AR
authors.lastname: Oller
authors.affiliation: University of Central Oklahoma, Department of Biology, 100 N. University Drive, Box 89, Edmond, OK, 73034, USA.
authors.forename: Victoria
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Jackson
keywords: Gastrointestinal; Oryx dammah; PCR; Parasites; Scimitar-horned oryx