Analysis of Temperature and Feeding Behavior on Gastrointestinal Nematode Density in Varying Antelope Species

Abstract

Gastrointestinal nematode (GIN) infection is one of the most prevalent threats to the health of animals in captivity and drives program managers to pinpoint behavioral or physiological indicators that could lead to a quick and inexpensive approach of identifying individuals more prone to such infection. In this study we explore the use of fecal temperature (as a representation of internal body temperature) and grazing vs. browsing frequency as potential indicators of parasitism in five different antelope species: Addax nasomaculatus, Tragelaphus strepsiceros, Hippotragus equinus, Kobus megaceros, and Nanger dama.