Ectoparasites of springhares in the Northern Cape Province, South Africa

The ectoparasite species of 118 Northern Cape springhares were identified and the springhare ectoparasite burdens were quantified over a 12-month period (February 1993 – January 1994). Parasite composition comprised two parasitic mite species, Hirstionyssus santos-diasi and Radfordilaelaps meridionalis, one bloodsucking louse species, Eulinognathus denticulatus, one flea species, Synosternus caffer, and three ixodid tick species, Haemaphysalis pedetes, Hyalomma marginatum and Rhipicephalus sp. Mites comprised 70% of the total parasite composition, followed by lice (20%), fleas (9%) and ticks (2%). Ticks and mites were represented by larval, nymphal and adult stages. The infestation frequency of fleas was positively correlated with temperature. The mean number of ectoparasites, except for the relevant tick species, was constantly higher in male animals, while H. santos-diasi and E. denticulatus infestations were significantly higher in subadult springhares. Of the total female sample, non-pregnant, post-pubertal individuals harboured the most ectoparasites (34%), followed by pregnant and lactating (19%) and pre-pubertal animals (18%). All seven ectoparasite species were present on springhares with low to average body score condition levels, while H. santos-diasi and E. denticulatus mainly targeted animals in poor condition. Parasite-related tissue damage occurred in 25% of 253 individuals and was mainly restricted to adults.