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Prevalence of endoparasitic infection in captive macaques in Kerala zoos
V. L. Livin Raj, S. Biju, Joseph Mathew and A. Zarina
doi: https://doi.org/10.51966/jvas.2023.54.1.226-228
Journal of Veterinary and Animal Sciences.2023.54(1):226-228
Author Details
V. L. Livin Raj: MVSc Scholar, Dept. of Livestock Production Management, College of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, Mannuthy, Thrissur-680651, Kerala Veterinary and Animal Sciences University, Kerala, India
S. Biju: Assistant Professor, Dept. of Livestock Production Management, College of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, Mannuthy, Thrissur-680651, Kerala Veterinary and Animal Sciences University, Kerala, India
Joseph Mathew : Professor and Head, Dept. of Livestock Production Management, College of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, Mannuthy, Thrissur-680651, Kerala Veterinary and Animal Sciences University, Kerala, India
A. Zarina: Assistant Professor, Dept. of Veterinary Physiology, College of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, Mannuthy, Thrissur-680651, Kerala Veterinary and Animal Sciences University, Kerala, India
Article History
Received: 16.03.2022 Accepted: 28.11.2022 Published online: 31.03.2023
Corresponding author: V. L. Livin Raj
e-mail : livinrajvl@gmail.com
Citation : Livin Raj,V.L., Biju,S., Mathew,J. and Zarina,A. 2023. Prevalence of endoparasitic infection in captive macaques in Kerala zoos. J. Vet. Anim. Sci. 54(1):226-228
DOI: https://doi.org/10.51966/jvas.2023.54.1.226-228
Abstract
The study was conducted in three macaque species namely Lion-tailed macaque (Macaca silenus), Rhesus macaque (Macaca mulatta) and Bonnet macaque (Macaca radiata) in the zoos of Kerala. Faecal samples were collected from individual macaques kept in open enclosures and retiring cages. The samples were examined by sedimentation method for assessing the endoparasitic infection and its prevalence percentage in captive macaques. The degree of infection was assessed by faecal egg counts of samples by McMaster technique. The study found zero prevalence of strongyles in Lion-tailed macaques; 20 per cent in Rhesus macaque and 100 per cent in Bonnet macaques. The eggs per gram of strongyles in Rhesus macaques were 100 ± 39.22 and in Bonnet macaques were 312 ± 47.94. The prevalence of coccidia was 16.6 per cent in Lion-tailed macaques; 40 per cent in Rhesus macaque and 100 per cent in Bonnet macaques. The oocysts per gram of coccidia in Lion-tailed macaques were 166 ± 98.88; in Rhesus macaques were 200 ± 89.44 and in Bonnet macaques were 1850 ± 53.54. The present study revealed the higher prevalence and degree of infection of coccidia and strongyles in Bonnet macaques when compared to the other two macaque species.
Keywords: Lion-tailed macaque, Rhesus macaque, Bonnet macaque, eggs per gram