Biomedical subjects

J Boomker

Publications and source records attributed to J Boomker.

At least 55 records · Page 3Linked to original sources

PubMed1994

Eight new Afrotropical Spinitectus spp. (Nematoda: Cystidicolidae) from freshwater fishes with a key to the members of the genus in the region.

Seven new species of the genus Spinitectus Fourment, 1883, recovered from several species of freshwater fishes from West and Central Africa, are described. The eighth species, Spinitectus allaeri Campana-Rouget, 1961 recorded by Moravec (1974) in Egypt, is assigned to Spinitectus moraveci n. sp. The new and known species have been divided into three groups according to the number of spines in the first row behind the anterior end. The Spinitectus spp. in Group A have fewer than 20 spines in the first row and the group contains Spinitectus mormyri Campana-Rouget, 1961, Spinitectus thurstonae Ogden, 1967 and Spinitectus micropectus n. sp. Those in Group B have between 20 and 40 spines in the first row and comprise the species S. allaeri, Spinitectus menzalei Hugot, 1979, Spinitectus maleficius n. sp., Spinitectus macilentus n. sp., Spinitectus minusculus n. sp., Spinitectus macherius n. sp., Spinitectus mucronatus n. sp. and Spinitectus moraveci n. sp. Group C species have more than 45 spines in the first row and consist of Spinitectus polli Campana-Rouget, 1961, Spinitectus petterae Boomker, 1993, Spinitectus zambezensis Boomker, 1993, and Spinitectus monstrosus n. sp. The species that are quite distinctive are S. mucronatus, which has characteristic spinulation and lateral floats on the eggs; S. monstrosus, which has characteristic spinulation and an exceptionally long left spicule; S. micropectus, which has approximately 80 rows of large spines and six post-cloacal papillae and S. maleficius, that has approximately 20 rows of large spines and seven post-cloacal papillae. The remaining species can be differentiated by the number of spines in the first row, the number of post-cloacal papillae, the number of labial papillae and, in the females, the distance between the anus and the vulva and the position of the gravid uterine coils in relation to the anterior end. S. moraveci differs from S. allaeri in that the first six rows of spines are raised, giving the anterior end an inflated appearance, in the number of post-cloacal papillae, and in that the distance between the anus and the vulva is considerably shorter. There are distinct morphological similarities between the Spinitectus species recovered from Heterobranchus isopterus and/or Clarias vanderhorsti (Clariidae) in Liberia, Ivory Coast and Sierra Leone, those recovered from Mormyrus spp. (Mormyridae) in western Zaire, Angola and Cameroon, and those recovered from Mastacembelus spp. (Mastacembelidae) in eastern Zaire.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 400 WORDS)

Africa, Central↗

PubMed1994

Parasites of South African freshwater fish. VII. Nematodes of some scaled fishes from the Hartbeespoort Dam, Transvaal.

The nematode parasites of 16 large-scaled yellowfish, Barbus marequensis, six silverfish, Barbus mattozi, six small-scaled yellowfish, Barbus polylepis, 52 canary kurper, Chetia flaviventris, 11 carp, Cyprinus carpio, 45 Mozambique bream, Oreochromis mossambicus and a single-banded bream, Tilapia sparrmani, caught in the Hartbeespoort Dam, Transvaal, were collected, identified and counted. Contracaecum spp. larvae were recovered from one O. mossambicus, 40 Chetia flaviventris, three Cyprinus carpio, one B. marequensis and five B. mattozi, Rhabdochona esseniae from five B. marequensis, Rhabdochona spp. from one O. mossambicus and four Cyprinus carpio, and unidentified nematode larvae from two O. mossambicus, three Chetia flaviventris, two Cyprinus carpio and from the single T. sparrmani. Burdens in the infected fishes were generally small, and small-scaled yellowfish did not harbour any worms. Only Mozambique bream and canary kurper were caught at regular intervals, but even in these species no pattern of seasonal prevalence of the nematodes was evident.

Animals↗

PubMed1994

The wild dog (Lycaon pictus): a new host for Ancylostoma caninum.

Faecal nematode egg counts performed on one captive and 49 free-ranging wild dogs (Lycaon pictus) revealed the presence of eggs of Ancylostoma spp. in 12 (24%) of the animals. The captive wild dog pup showed anorexia, general malaise, pale mucous membranes and black stools. Adult male and female Ancylostoma caninum were recovered from an approximately 3-month-old pup which died of distemper-like disease and a 9-year-old severely debilitated captive wild dog. A single adult A. caninum was also recovered from the intestines of a free-ranging wild dog in the Kruger National Park. These findings confirm the wild dog to be a host for A. caninum.

Ancylostoma↗

PubMed1994

Helminth and arthropod parasites of indigenous goats in the northern Transvaal.

Helminth and arthropod parasites of 60 female indigenous goats of three age groups on a farm in the northern Transvaal were collected, identified and counted. Anoplocephalid tapeworms were present in the two younger groups of goats, while larvae of Taenia hydatigena were recovered from all three groups. Eight species and two genera of nematodes were found in the youngest goats, five species and three genera in the middle group and six species and two genera in the oldest goats. Strongyloides papillosus was the most numerous and most prevalent nematode in the youngest goats, while Haemonchus contortus was most numerous and most prevalent in both older groups. Adult H. contortus was most abundant during the summer months, while S. papillosus occurred in the youngest goats during the cooler months (April to September). No pattern of seasonal abundance could be established for the other nematodes. Only ixodid ticks were recovered and of the nine species present, the immature stages of Amblyomma hebraeum were most numerous and prevalent. Boophilus decoloratus was present from October to January and in August, and the adults of a Rhipicephalus sp. (near R. pravus) from January to March and during May. Rhipicephalus simus was present from October to January.

Animals↗

PubMed1994

Parasites of South African freshwater fish. VI. Nematode parasites of some fish species in the Kruger National Park.

The nematode parasites of 30 spot-tailed robbers, Brycinus imberi, five tiger-fish, Hydrocynus vittatus, 77 large-scaled yellowfish. Barbus marequensis, two mudsuckers, Labeo molybdinus, 114 catfish, Clarias gariepinus, 46 silver barbel, Schilbe intermedius, 66 squeakers, Synodontis zambezensis, three eels, Anguilla spp., 83 Mozambique bream, Oreochromis mossambicus, 81 red-breasted bream, Tilapia rendalli swierstrae and 32 large-mouthed bream, Serranochromis meridianus, caught in the Sabie, Crocodile and Olifants Rivers in the southern and central regions of the Kruger National Park, were collected, identified and counted. A single Camallanus sp. male was recovered from one of the mudsuckers; Capillaria spp. from three catfish and one squeaker; philometrid nematodes from two silver barbel, 15 squeakers and a large-mouthed bream; Paracamallanus cyathopharynx from one tiger-fish, 80 catfish, 28 silver barbel and one squeaker; Procamallanus laeviconchus from a single catfish; Rhabdochona esseniae from six large-scaled yellowfish; Rhabdochona versterae from 14 spot-tailed robbers; Rhabdochona spp. from 20 catfish, 17 silver barbel, eight squeakers, two eels, one large-mouthed bream and two red-breasted bream; Raillietnema synodontisi from 33 squeakers; Spinitectus petterae from 37 catfish; Spinitectus zambezensis from 55 squeakers; Spinitectus spp. from one tiger-fish and four silver barbel, and Spirocamallanus daleneae and Synodontisia thelastomoides from 33 and 35 squeakers, respectively.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Animals↗

PubMed1993

Parasites of South African freshwater fish. III. Rhabdochona (Rhabdochona) versterae n. sp. (Nematoda: Rhabdochonidae) from the spot-tailed robber, Alestes imberi Peters 1852.

A new species of Rhabdochona was recovered from the spot-tailed robber, Alestes imberi Peters 1852 in the Sabie River, Kruger National Park. It differs from its nearest relative, Rhabdochona moraveci Puylaert 1973 in that it has shorter spicules and fewer prostomal teeth. The new species also shows affinities with Rhabdochona paski Baylis 1928 and Rhabdochona congolensis Campana-Rouget 1961, but differs from the first-named species in that it has shorter spicules and fewer precloacal papillae. It differs from the last-named species in the number and arrangement of the labial and cephalic papillae, and the absence of finger-like processes on the tip of the female tail. The subgenus Rhabdochona Moravec 1972 is characterized by the absence of filaments or floats on the mature eggs. These structures are also lacking in the new species, which is therefore described here as Rhabdochona (Rhabdochona) versterae n. sp.

Animals↗

PubMed1993

Parasites of South African freshwater fish. IV. Description of Spirocamallanus daleneae n. sp. (Nematoda: Camallanidae) from Synodontis zambezensis Peters, 1852 (Mochokidae) with comments on Spirocomallanus spiralis (Baylis, 1923).

During a survey of the parasites of fish in the Kruger National Park, a new species of Spirocamallanus Olson, 1952 was recovered from the small intestines of squeakers, Synodontis zambezensis Peters, 1952. The males of the new species differ from Spirocamallanus spiralis (Baylis, 1923) in having more spiral thickenings in the buccal capsule, the different configuration of the buccal capsule and its anterior margin, and in having a longer oesophagus, especially the muscular part. They differ from Spirocamallanus mazabukae Yeh, 1957 in having fewer thickenings in the buccal capsule, considerably shorter spicules and more caudal papillae. The new species also differs from the members of the genus described, but not named, by Yeh (1957) and Campana-Rouget (1961). In view of these differences and because of geographical and host differences, the new species is described here as Spirocamallanus daleneae n. sp. Specimens of Spirocamallanus spiralis (Baylis, 1923) from Synodontis eupterus Boulenger, 1801 were re-examined and additional morphological and morphometrical data are provided. Two male nematodes, originating from Synodontis spp. from Gabon and both labelled Spirocamallanus spiralis, were examined. The specimen from Synodontis haugi Pellegrin, 1906 conformed to the description of Spirocamallanus daleneae. The one from Synodontis tessmanni Pappenheim, 1911 had a buccal capsule resembling that of Spirocamallanus spiralis, but the principal measurements are different from those of either nematode species. Because of extensive damage to the specimen, it is not named here and should be regarded as a species inquirenda.

Animals↗

PubMed1993

Parasites of South African freshwater fish. V. Description of two new species of the genus Spinitectus Fourment, 1883 (Nematoda: Cystidicolidae).

Spinitectus petterae n. sp. was recovered from catfish, Clarias gariepinus (Burchell, 1822) and Spinitectus zambezensis n. sp. from squeakers, Synodontis zambezensis Peters, 1852 in the Kruger National Park. The nematodes are easily differentiated from each other in that Spinitectus petterae has an additional pair of papillae on the pseudolabia, the males have considerably longer spicules and a different configuration of the tips of the left spicule, and the vulva of the females is considerably closer to the anus than is the case with Spinitectus zambezensis. The new species differ from Spinitectus allaeri Campana-Rouget, 1961, Spinitectus mormyri Campana-Rouget, 1961 and Spinitectus thurstonae Ogden, 1967 in having more spines per row in the 1st 2 rows. Despite possible conspecificity with Spinitectus polli Campana-Rouget, 1961, Spinitectus zambezensis should be regarded as a valid species because of the morphological, geographical and host differences.

Animals↗

PubMed1992

Arthropod parasites of springbok, gemsbok, kudus, giraffes and Burchell's and Hartmann's zebras in the Etosha and Hardap Nature Reserves, Namibia.

A total of 48 springbok, 48 gemsbok, 23 kudus and 6 giraffes were examined for ticks and lice, while 9 Burchell's zebras and 6 Hartmann's mountain zebras were examined only for ticks. Springbok and gemsbok were shot in both the Etosha National Park in the north and the Hardap Nature Reserve in the south of Namibia. All the other animals were shot in the Etosha National Park. A total of 7 ixodid tick species and 8 lice species were recovered. The springbok carried few ticks. The adults of a Rhipicephalus sp. (near R. oculatus) were most numerous on the gemsbok, especially during November. The kudus were the only animals harbouring Rhipicephalus zambeziensis. Adult Hyalomma truncatum, followed by adult Hyalomma marginatum rufipes, were most abundant on the giraffes and adult Rhipicephalus evertsi mimeticus were commonest on the zebras.

Animals↗

PubMed1992

Parasites of domestic and wild animals in South Africa. XXX. Ectoparasites of kudus in the eastern Transvaal Lowveld and the eastern Cape Province.

Sets of four kudus were shot and examined for arthropod parasites at approximately monthly intervals from April 1981 to March 1983 in the southern part of the Kruger National Park, eastern Transvaal Lowveld. These animals harboured 10 ixodid tick species of which Boophilus decoloratus followed by Amblyomma hebraeum were the most abundant. The seasonal abundances of these ticks and of Amblyomma marmoreum, Rhipicephalus appendiculatus, Rhipicephalus evertsi evertsi and Rhipicephalus zambeziensis were determined. The kudus were also infested with 3 lice and 1 louse fly species, as well as the nymphs of a pentastomid. Sixteen kudus were shot in the Andries Vosloo Kudu Reserve, eastern Cape Province and 9 on an adjacent farm. These animals were infested with 12 tick species. A. hebraeum followed by Rhipicephalus glabroscutatum were the most abundant on kudus in the reserve and R. glabroscutatum followed by Haemaphysalis silacea on the animals on the farm. The seasonal abundances of A. hebraeum, A. marmoreum, H. silacea, R. appendiculatus, R. glabroscutatum and a Rhipicephalus sp. (near R. oculatus) were determined on the kudus in the reserve. The kudus were also infested with 3 lice and 1 louse fly species. Two kudus examined in the Addo Elephant National Park were infested with 6 tick, 1 louse and 1 louse fly species.

Animals↗

PubMed1992

The louse fly Lipoptena paradoxa Newstead, 1907 (Diptera:Hippoboscidae): description of its adult and puparium and biology in South Africa.

Lipoptena paradoxa Newstead, 1907 is re-described using scanning electron microscopy and its puparium is described for the first time. The distribution of the fly is restricted to the eastern half of South Africa, generally at altitudes below 600 m. Its preferred hosts are all browsing antelope namely, bushbuck, nyalas, kudus and common duikers. The largest numbers of flies were present on kudus in the Kruger National Park from July or August to January and large numbers were recovered from these animals' tails from November to January. Considerably more female than male flies were collected.

Animals↗

PubMed1992

Parasites of South African wildlife. XIII. Helminths of grey rhebuck, Pelea capreolus, and of bontebok, Damaliscus dorcas dorcas, in the Bontebok National Park.

A total of 25 grey rhebuck, Pelea capreolus, and 16 bontebok, Damaliscus dorcas dorcas, were shot for parasite recovery at bi-monthly intervals in the Bontebok National Park, south-western Cape Province, from February 1983 to December 1983 and February 1983 to February 1984, respectively. The grey rhebuck and the bontebok each harboured 9 nematode species and the latter animals 1 cestode species. Ostertagia hamata was most abundant and most prevalent in the grey rhebuck and Longistrongylus curvispiculum and Nematodirus spathiger in the bontebok. Longistrongylus schrenki is recorded for the first time in grey rhebuck, and Trichostrongylus falculatus and Moniezia expansa in bontebok. The total nematode burdens of the bontebok were considerably larger than those of the grey rhebuck. No clear pattern of seasonal abundance for the helminths of either host species was evident.

Animals↗

PubMed1991

A descriptive study of the canine population in a rural town in southern Africa.

The health status of a population of dogs (n = 220) from a rural southern African town is described. A cross sectional survey was done to collect the necessary information. All animals examined were mongrels with a mean condition score of 1.93. The oldest dog found in the population was 8 years old. Rhipicephalus sanguineus was the dominant tick species encountered on the dogs, Echidnophaga gallinacea the dominant flea species, while Cordylobia anthropophaga and Demodex canis also affected the health status of the population. Fourty five per cent of the population were found to have nematode eggs in the faeces. On clinical examination, 5% of the population were judged to be acutely ill and 27% to be chronically ill. Based on the clinical examination, bloodsmears and laboratory results, 51% of the population had one or more serious clinical conditions at the time of examination. The conditions with the highest point prevalence rate in the community were canine ehrlichiosis (17.2%), transmissible veneral tumour (6.8%), canine distemper (5%), Cordylobia infestation (5.5%), trauma (4.1%), and severe malnutrition (4.1%). It was concluded that a significant section of this population was in a chronic state of starvation and malnutrition. There was also a heavy infestation of internal and external parasites and the prevalence of serious diseases in this population was high.

Animal Welfare↗

PubMed1991

Parasites of South African wildlife. XI. Description of a new race of Cooperia rotundispiculum Gibbons & Khalil, 1980.

During surveys of the helminths of South African wildlife, a Cooperia sp. that closely resembles Cooperia rotundispiculum Gibbons & Khalil, 1980, was recovered from several antelope species. This nematode has spicules 0,140-0,248 mm long and has 18-20 longitudinal cuticular ridges, whereas typical C. rotundispiculum has spicules 0,179-0,226 mm long and has 14 ridges. In view of the few differences between the 2 helminths, the Cooperia sp. is described here as a race of C. rotundispiculum.

Animals↗

PubMed1991

Parasites of South African wildlife. XII. Helminths of Nyala, Tragelaphus angasii, in Natal.

The helminths of 77 nyala, Tragelaphus angasii, from 4 game reserves in Natal, were collected, counted and identified. Ten nematode species and 4 nematode genera, a trematode species and paramphistomes, and 2 cestode genera were recovered from the antelope. Of these, a Cooperia rotundispiculum race, Gaigeria pachyscelis, a Gongylonema sp., Haemonchus vegliai, Impalaia tuberculata, an Oesophagostomum sp., a Setaria sp., Trichostrongylus deflexus, Trichostrongylus falculatus, the larval stage of a Taenia sp., a Thysaniezia sp. and Schistosoma mattheei are new parasite records for this host. Individual nematode helminth burdens varied from 3 to 13 493 and the total mean nematode burden was 700. The mean burdens of nyala from Mkuzi were the largest and those from animals from the Umfolozi Game Reserve and the False Bay Park the smallest. Ostertagia harrisi was the most prevalent nematode, and it was also the most numerous in nyala from Umfolozi, Mkuzi and False Bay. A race of Cooperia rotundispiculum was the most numerous in nyala from Ndumu. No clear-cut trends in the seasonal abundance could be discerned for any of the worm species recovered in this study.

Animals↗

PubMed1991

Ixodid ticks and lice infesting red duikers and bushpigs in north-eastern Natal.

Eighteen red duikers, Cephalophus natalensis, from the Charters Creek Nature Reserve and 2 from Fanies Island Nature Reserve were processed for arthropod parasite recovery. They harboured 8 species of ixodid ticks and 2 lice species. All were infested with Haemaphysalis parmata and the nymphs of Rhipicephalus muehlensi. Two bushpigs, Potamochoerus porcus, from the Ndumu Nature Reserve, 5 from the Eastern Shores Nature Reserve and 1 from Cape Vidal were examined for ectoparasites. They were infested with 8 ixodid tick species, of which Rhipicephalus maculatus was the most abundant, and with 1 louse species.

Animals↗

PubMed1991

Parasites of South African wildlife. VIII. Helminth and arthropod parasites of warthogs, Phacochoerus aethiopicus, in the eastern Transvaal.

Helminth and arthropod parasites were collected from 41 warthogs, Phacochoerus aethiopicus, in the Hoedspruit Nature Reserve, eastern Transvaal. This reserve consists of a military base, which is a restricted area and is surrounded by a reserve, which is open to the public. Eleven nematode species, 1 or 2 cestode species and the larvae of 2 cestode species were recovered from the animals in the reserve, and 8 nematode species and 1 or 2 cestode species were recovered from those in the military base. Oesophagostomum spp. were generally most abundant in warthogs in the reserve during the cooler months of the year, while Probstmayria vivipara also occurred in peak numbers during the cooler months, with an additional peak in October and November 1988 in warthogs in the reserve and the base, respectively. No pattern of seasonal abundance could be determined for the other helminth species. The warthogs also harboured 8 ixodid and 1 argasid tick species, 3 flea species and 1 louse species. Adult and immature Haematopinus phacochoeri were most numerous during August and September, and the largest numbers of adult Rhipicephalus simus were present from December to April.

Animals↗

PubMed1991

Parasites of South African wildlife. IX. Helminths of kudu, Tragelaphus strepsiceros, in the eastern Cape Province.

The helminths of 25 kudu, Tragelaphus strepsiceros, from 3 localities in the eastern Cape Province were collected, counted and identified. The majority of kudu harboured no worms, and the burdens of those infected were small. A race of Cooperia rotundispiculum, a Dictyocaulus sp., a Haemonchus sp., Nematodirus helvetianus and Ostertagia ostertagi were recovered. Two parasites, Nematodirus helvetianus and Ostertagia ostertagi can be added to the list of helminth parasites of kudu in South Africa.

Animals↗