doi: 10.14202/vetworld.2019.249-253
Share this article on [Facebook] [LinkedIn]
Article history: Received: 22-09-2018, Accepted: 09-01-2019, Published online: 13-02-2019
Corresponding author: Wisnu Nurcahyo
E-mail: wisnu-nc@ugm.ac.id
Citation: Prahardani R, Firdausy LW, Yanuartono, Nurcahyo W (2019) Morphology and morphometry of adult nematodes on Sumatran elephants (Elephas maximus sumatranus) in Way Kambas National Park area, Indonesia, Veterinary World, 12(2): 249-253.Background and Aim: Worms from nematodes are the most numerous and the most detrimental in elephants. Most adult worms are located in the digestive tract. Nematode infection is at higher risk in young elephants, which caused several cases such as anemia, hypoalbuminemia, enteritis, and even death. This study aimed to determine the morphology and morphometry of adult nematodes on Sumatran elephants in Way Kambas National Park area.
Materials and Methods: Nematode samples were obtained from Sumatran elephants' feces (Elephas maximus sumatranus) in Way Kambas National Park, Lampung Province, after being given Kalbazen® containing albendazole 1000 mg at a dose of 10 mg/kg by the veterinarian in charge of the National Park area. For the morphological and morphometric examinations, we used an Olympus BX 51 microscope equipped with Olympus DP 12 camera and were conducted at the Parasitology Laboratory, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Universitas Gadjah Mada. The scanning electron microscopic (SEM) analysis was carried out at the Biology Research Center of the Indonesian Institute of Sciences (Lembaga Ilmu Pengetahuan Indonesia).
Results: The results of macroscopic observations of the obtained nematodes showed that the nematodes which were found have the characteristics of round, slim, and white color. The size of a female worm was larger than a male worm. Microscopic examination in four anterior papillae indicated that the dorsal lobe in the copulatory bursa was longer than lateral lobe. The result of inspection with the SEM showed a leaf crown consisting of 10 elements, a pair of amphids laterally, and two pairs of papilla in a submedian region.
Conclusion: Based on our morphology and morphometry examinations of adult nematodes in Sumatran elephant (E. maximus sumatranus) in Way Kambas National Park area, the adult nematodes which were found are species of Quilonia travancra.
Keywords: morphology, morphometry, nematode, Quilonia travancra, Sumatran elephant.
1. Fowler, M.E. and Mikota, S.K. (2006) Biology, Medicine, and Surgery of Elephants. Blackwell, Iowa. p159-176. [Crossref]
2. Abeysinghe, K.S., Perera, A.N.F., Pastorini, J., Isler, K., Mammides, C. and Fernando, P. (2017) Gastrointestinal strongyle infection in captive and wild elephants in Sri Lanka. Gajah, 46: 21-27.
3. Hing, S., Othman, N., Nathan, S.K.S., Fox, M., Fisher, M. and Goossens, B. (2013) First parasitological survey of endangered Bornean elephants Elephas maximus borneensis. Endang. Species Res., 21(3): 223-230.
4. Baines, L., Morgan, E.R., Ofthile, M. and Evans, K. (2015) Occurrence and seasonality of internal parasite infection in elephants, Loxodonta africana, in the Okavango Delta, Botswana. Int. J. Parasitol. Parasit. Wildl., 4(1): 43-48. [Crossref] [PubMed] [PMC]
5. Phuphisut, O., Maipanich, W., Pubampen, S., Yindee, M., Kosoltanapiwat, N., Nuamtanong, S., Ponlawat, A. and Adisakwattana, P. (2016) Molecular identification of the strongyloid nematode Oesophagostomum aculeatum in the Asian wild elephant Elephas maximus. J. Helminthol., 90(4): 434-440. [Crossref] [PubMed]
6. Abhijith, A.V., Ashokkumar, M., Dencin, R.T. and George, C. (2018) Gastrointestinal parasites of Asian elephants (Elephas maximus L. 1978) in South Wayanad forest division, Kerala, India. J. Parasit. Dis., 42(3): 382-390. [Crossref] [PubMed]
7. McLean, E.R., Kinsella, J.M., Chiyo, P., Obanda, V., Moss, C. and Archie, E.A. (2012) Genetic identification of five strongyle nematode parasites in wild African elephants (Loxodonta africana). J. Wildl. Dis., 48(3): 707-716. [Crossref] [PubMed]
8. Kurt, F. (2005) Size, Weight and Age Criteria in Asian Elephants. First European Elephant Management School. Available from: http://www.colyerinstitute.org/pdf/feems3.pdf. Last accessed on 01-04-2018.
9. Anderson, R.C., Chabaud, A.G. and dan Willmott, S. (1974) Key to the Nematode Parasites of Vertebrates. CABI, UK. p25.
10. Yamaguti, S. (1961) Systema Helminthum Volume III (The Nematodes of Vertebrates). Interscience Publisher, New York and London. p390-391.
11. Baylis, H.A. (1936) The Fauna of British India, Nematoda Vol I (Ascaroidea and Strongyloidea). Taylor and Francis, Red Lion Court, Fleet Street, London. p278-286.
12. Carreno, R.A., Neimanis, A.S., Lindsjo, J., Thongnoppakun, P., Barta, J.R. and Peregrine, A.S. (2001) Parasites found in faeces of Indian elephants (Elephas maximus) in Thailand following treatment with mebendazole, with observation on Pfenderius papillatus (Cobbold 1982) Stiles and Goldberger, 1910 by scanning electron microscopy. Helminthologia, 38(2): 75-79.