PREVALENCE OF ENDOPARASITE AND PREY PREFERENCE OF TIGER (Panthera tigris tigris) IN WAYANAD WILDLIFE SANCTUARY
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Date
2016-05-12
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Kerala Veterinary and animal science university, Pookode
Abstract
Studies on gastro-intestinal parasitic diversity and prey preference of tigers
in Wayanad Wildlife Sanctuary, Kerala, were conducted from April to September
2015. Coprological analysis of scat samples was carried out to identify the
gastro-intestinal parasitic diversity and diet composition in the tiger (Panthera
tigris tigris) population.
A total of 46 scat samples (76.6%) analyzed were found to be positive for
endoparasites. Scat analysis for parasitic diversity was carried out by
sedimentation method. Gastro-intestinal parasitic analysis revealed the presence
of parasites belonging to seven different genera. Diphyllobothrium latum (33
nos.) was the most commonly recorded parasite followed by Paragonimus
westermani (25), Taenia sp. (6) Strongyle sp. (4), Trichuris sp. (2), Toxocara sp.
(2) and Nematode larvae (2). Although the gastro-intestinal parasitic diversity is
less compared to similar studies from other tiger habitats, the number of
individuals infected was considerably high.
Hair samples of known animals were collected and studied for cuticular
and medullary structures. This was used as reference while analyzing the hair
from scat samples. A total of 60 scats were analyzed. The tigers in Wayanad
Wildlife Sanctuary were found to be feeding on five prey species. Sambar was
the most predominant prey, featuring in 29 of the 60 scat samples (48.33%)
followed by Gaur (21.66%), Chital (20%) and Wild Boar (5%). The data revealed
that tigers in WWS prefer larger ungulates (i.e. Gaur and Sambar) to smaller prey
species such as Wild Boar, Chital and Barking Deer.
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