The Helminthic Status of Selected Tanzanian Subterranean Rodents, the Root-Rats (Spalacidae: Tachyoryctes splendens) and Emini silvery Mole-Rats (Bathyergidae: Heliophobius argenteocinereus emini)

Abstract

Root-rats (Tachyoryctes splendens) and emini silvery mole-rats (Heliophobius argenteocinereus emini) are common subterranean rodents that are essential component of the ecosystem. They serve as prey for small to medium-sized carnivores and birds of prey but their role as hosts to parasites is limited. The present study, explored the Gastrointestinal Tract (GIT) contents of 40 rodents (20 T. splendens and 20 H. a. emini, respectively) to acquire information on parasites diversity of these mammals. The GIT contents from subterranean rodents in a sex ratio of 1:1 were examined under a compound microscope to isolate helminths. The isolated helminths belonged to the following taxa: nematoda (89.3%) cestoda (8.7%) and acanthocephala (1.2%). Both rodent species were infected with Hexametra sp., Protospirura sp., Inermicapsifer sp. and Rodentolepis sp, but Moniliformis sp. was only found in T. splendens. Results indicate a high abundance of nematodes in these subterranean rodents while acanthocephalans were recorded in low numbers. Results further indicate that rodents’ infestation by helminths is influenced by sex, age and body mass. The variation of helminth infection in H. a. emini and T. splendens, reflects their subterranean diversity and lack of niche overlap. Studies in co-habiting rodents’ species are recommended to enrich rodent-helminthic profile.