A. Verster

Bio: A. Verster is an academic researcher. The author has contributed to research in topics: Helminths & Francolin. The author has an hindex of 1, co-authored 1 publications receiving 3 citations.

Seasonal and demographical variation in intestinal helminth infection of greywing francolin

Abstract: Summary Little, R.M., Verster, A. & Crowe, T.M. 1993. Seasonal and demographical variation in intestinal helminth infection of Greywing Francolin. Ostrich 64:178-181. The proportion of the population carrying intestinal parasites (prevalence of infection) and the mean number of parasites per host within the host population (worm burden) for 312 Greywing Francolin Fran-colinus africanus were recorded on the Stormberg Plateau, eastern Cape Province, during April 1989-De-cember 1990. Most Greywing (86%) had helminths in their small intestine or caeca. Variation in levels of helminth infection (i.e. both prevalence and burdens) was independent of host sex. Nematodes were confined to the caeca where they were present in high numbers throughout the year with two peaks during June-August and November-January. The prevalence and worm burdens of nematodes were independent of host age Nematodes were more prevalent than cestodes. The prevalence and number of cestodes in the small intestine were highest during Septem...

Age- and sex-based variation in helminth infection of helmeted guineafowl (Numida meleagris) with comments on Swainson's spurfowl (Pternistis swainsonii) and Orange River francolin (Scleroptila levaillantoides)

Abstract: Gastrointestinal tracts from 48 helmeted guineafowl (Numida meleagris), five Swainson's spurfowl (Pternistis swainsonii) and a single Orange River francolin (Scleroptila levaillantoides) were examined for helminth parasites. Twelve species of helminths were found in helmeted guineafowl, comprising six nematodes, five cestodes and a single acanthocephalan. Six species of nematodes were recovered from Swainson's spurfowl and a single nematode was recovered from the Orange River francolin. First-year guineafowl had more than twice the intensity of infection than did adult guineafowl, particularly regarding the acanthocephalan Mediorhynchus gallinarum, the caecal nematodes Subulura dentigera and S. suctoria, and the cestodes Octopetalum numida, Hymenolepis cantaniana and Numidella numida. Female guineafowl had significantly higher intensities of infection than males, especially concerning M. gallinarum, S. dentigera and N. numida and the nematode Gongylonema congolense. The recovery of the cestode Retinometra sp. from helmeted guineafowl constitutes a new host-parasite record.

Helminthological studies in francolins (Galliformes: Phasianidae) of Sindh, Pakistan with two new species and epidemiological parameters.

Abstract: Francolins are among the very gregarious variety of game birds severely infected by various parasites that may cause an important source for infection transmission in humans by eating them very fondly in the country. During this study, two commonly found francolins species of the region; Francolinus francolinus (Black Francolin) and F. pondicerianus (Grey Francolin), were examined for helminthes fauna. The study deals with the primary survey of helminthic infection occur in the francolin birds (Phasianidae: Perdicinae) with reference to their forage in gut content. It is the first helminthological and epidemiological study in Sindh, Pakistan. At present, a total of 20 birds were examined, out of which 17 were found infected with cestode larvae of two species of genus Cotugnia and genus Raillietina, one species of trematode, Prosthogonimus potentially new species; one new species of acanthocephalan, Mediorhynchus francolinae sp. nov.; one species of nematode, Subulura brumpti ( Lopez-Neyra, 1922 ) were recovered, with new host records. The forage content and comparative incidence of helminth species were also observed and discussed in the current study, which revealed the high prevalence of infection in grey francolins than that of black francolin. The mean intensity of infection relative to the forage in guts of hosts was found significant (P