n Suid-Afrikaanse Tydskrif vir Natuurwetenskap en Tegnologie - Voorlopige resultate oor biodiversiteit van Suid-Afrikaanse amfibiese bloedparasiete : referaatopsomming

Abstract

Preliminary results on the biodiversity of South African amphibian blood parasites

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Studies have shown that frogs host a diversity of parasites. At present hardly any information exists on blood parasites or haematozoans parasitising South African frogs. The aims of our study were: (1) documenting blood parasite diversity, (2) providing host and locality records of described and new haematozoan species and (3) describing new parasites using morphometrics and DNA analysis. Fourteen species were found to be infected with haematozoans: 11/14 (79%) with haemogregarines, 6/14 (43%) with trypanosomes, 1/14 (7%) with babesiasomes, and 1/14 (7%) with microfilaria. It is hoped that these and future results may increase the knowledge of apicomplexan parasites of amphibian hosts in South Africa.