The effect of some ecological factors on the intestinal parasite loads of the Asian elephant (Elephas maximus) in southern India.

Some ecological factors that might potentially influence intestinal parasite loads in the Asian elephant (Elephas maximus Linn.) were investigated in the Nilgiris, southern India. Fresh dung samples from identified animals were analysed, and the number of eggs/g of dung used as an index of parasite load. Comparisons across seasons and habitats revealed that parasite loads were significantly higher during the dry season than the wet season, but were not different between the dry-deciduous and dry-thorn forests in either season. After accounting for the effect of age on body condition, there was no correlation between body condition, assessed visually using morphological criteria, and parasite load in either season. Individuals of different elephant herds were not characterized by distinct parasite communities in either season. When intra-individual variation was examined, samples collected from the same individual within a day differed significantly in egg densities, while the temporal variation over several weeks or months (within a season) was much less. Egg densities within dung piles were uniform, enabling a simpler collection method henceforth.

Light microscopy and scanning electron microscopy of Bathmostomum sangeri Cobbold, 1879, of elephants.

Bathmostomum sangeri is an intestinal parasite of the elephant. Males measured 12.15-14.25 mm in length; females measured 14.98-17.68 mm in length. Buccal capsule is well-developed and funnel-shaped. There is a raised and transverse fissure ridge around the oral margin. The internal wall of the buccal capsule is raised into a series of circular ridges or lamellae. Teeth or cutting plates could not be seen. Spicules are stout, wing-like structures. The telamon is pear-shaped, but a gibernaculum is not present. There are two pairs of papillae on the either side of the cloacal opening. The female tail is gradually tepering.