| Summary: | 碩士 === 國立屏東科技大學 === 野生動物保育研究所 === 102 === This research investigated the intestinal parasites of the Formosan pangolin (Manis pentadactyla pentadactyla) based on analysis of 73 fecal samples (belong to 31 individuals) collected between March 2010 and February 2013 in Luanshan, Taitung. Techniques used were direct smear method, floating method, culture method for larvae, and coccidia sporulation. A total of 10 different intestinal parasites were found, including 7 Nematoda, namely Hookworm, Strongyloides sp., Capillaria sp., Trichuris sp., Oesophagostomum sp., Unknown1 (containing multiple cell-like form) and Unknown 2 (long-oblong form), and 3 protozoa (2 Eimeria sp. and 1 Monocystis sp.). Hookworm, Eimeria sp., and Strongyloides sp. had highest detection rates. Capillaria sp. and Monocystis sp. were founded mostly in the dry season. Because Monocystis sp. only parasitic in earthworms, this suggested that pangolin might consume earthworms in the dry season when food is in shortage. There were significant differences in individual infection of parasites, while 2-3 species mixed infections were most common. There were no significant differences in the prevalence of infection between genders and wet and dry seasons. The prevalence of infection, however, was significant higher in adults and more species (n=9) were found in males than in female (n=6), these might due to the larger home range and more stressful in adults and males. Results showed that the intestinal parasite infection was common in wild pangolins; therefore, it is important to undertake long-term monitoring of intestinal parasites in individual pangolins and sympatric wild animals.
|
|---|
