A survey of lions (Pantheraleo) as definitive host of Spirometra species
Department of Microbiology and Parasitology, St. Francis University College of Health and Allied Sciences, P.O Box 175 Ifakara, Tanzania.
Research Article
Open Access Research Journal of Science and Technology, 2022, 06(02), 009–016.
Article DOI: 10.53022/oarjst.2022.6.2.0073
Publication history:
Received on 04 September 2022; revised on 19 October 2022; accepted on 22 October 2022
Abstract:
The aim of the study was to carry out a complete life-cycle of the tapeworm Spirometra (Cestoda: Pseudophyllidea) under experimental conditions in the laboratory. A total of 7 lions from Tarangire National Park were examined their feces for presence of Spirometra eggs. Two methods were used to collect feces of lions: collection of feces from the ground where has been deposited and manual removal of feces from the rectum of the lion after immobilization. Eggs collected from the feces were found to be ovoid, tapered at both ends, the shell is smooth, dark brown in color and the embryo is visible within the egg shell. The measurements were in the range of length 52-75 μm and the width between 30-45 μm. The means were length 67.8 ± 3.71 and width 32 2± 3.65 μm. The eggs collected conforms with the eggs of Spirometra species.
Keywords:
Lion; Spirometra; Egg; Tarangire
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Copyright © 2022 Author(s) retain the copyright of this article. This article is published under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution Liscense 4.0