Blood Parasites of the Impala the Serengeti National Park

Abstract

Blood smears were obtained from 84 impala (Aepyceros melampus) in the Serengeti National Park. The incidence of parasites within these animals was: Theileria 44·7 per cent., Trypanozoon 5·8 per cent., Haematoxenus 2·3 per cent. and Borrelia 1·2 per cent. There was no evidence that these parasites were pathogenic to their hosts. Rhipicephalus evertsi ticks collected from these animals showed a salivary gland infection rate of 5·4 per cent. 'Haematoxenus has not previously been described from impal~.